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EXCLUSIVE A former COVID-19 senior adviser in the Biden administration was forced to defy a congressional subpoena this week after the White House instructed him not to comply with it because of concerns with the rules surrounding his appearance.

Andrew Slavitt, a longtime health official who worked on President Joe Bidens coronavirus response team, was scheduled to appear before the House Judiciary Committee on Jan. 31. Letters obtained by the Washington Examiner reveal the White House instructed Slavitt not to appear.

To protect the constitutional separation of powers and the institutional interests of the White House, I write to inform you that the White House does not authorize Mr. Slavitt to appear at the Committees scheduled deposition, White House counsel Richard Sauber wrote to Slavitts attorney one day before the scheduled deposition.

Sauber communicated the same message to Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) in a separate letter, and he indicated that the administration also objected to the committees forthcoming deposition with Robert Flaherty, Bidens former director of digital strategy.

The committee is seeking to speak with Slavitt and Flaherty about the well-documented pressure they put on social media companies to censor content, particularly about COVID-19, beginning in 2021.

Flaherty, who now works for the Biden presidential campaign, was cited dozens of times in a sweeping memorandum from a federal judge, who found the former official had a key role in coercing Meta, X, and YouTube to censor content.

Flaherty would routinely demand the companies report to him on their practices for removing content, such as posts that showed vaccine hesitancy and borderline content.

In one instance, Flaherty became angry with Meta in July 2021, indicating he was displeased with the platforms efforts to censor a group that became known as the disinformation dozen, which included Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Are you guys f***ing serious? I want an answer on what happened here and I want it today, Flaherty wrote to Meta.

Slavitt, in another instance, wrote an ominous email to the platform saying, Internally, we have been considering our options on what to do about [the lack of censorship].

The Judiciary Committee could sue the pair of former officials or attempt to hold them in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with subpoenas.

Everything is on the table as to what comes next, a committee spokesperson said.

The White House pointed to Saubers correspondence when asked for comment.

Sauber cited in his letter to Slavitts attorney the Department of Justices long-held stance that Congress is obligated to allow government counsel to be present at certain depositions, a position that the Judiciary Committee disputes.

Because of the constitutional defects with the Committees subpoena and consistent with its past advice, [the DOJ] has advised me of its position that Mr. Slavitt cannot be prosecuted for contempt of Congress, Sauber wrote.

The committee has run into similar resistance from the Biden administration before regarding depositions and transcribed interviews. The committee has maintained throughout this Congress that it allows the option for witnesses to appear with personal counsel but not government counsel unless the setting is a transcribed interview and the witness does not have personal counsel.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Slavitts attorney wrote to Jordan on the day of the scheduled deposition, saying his client had flown to Washington, D.C., from California to meet with the committee.

My client has no interest in turning around and heading back to California without speaking to the Committee. However, given that Mr. Slavitt now has received a letter from the White House instructing him not to appear, he unfortunately cannot do so, the attorney wrote to Jordan.

Link:
White House refuses to allow former COVID-19 adviser to testify before Congress in censorship investigation - Washington Examiner

Theater is a form of escapism and a catalyst of joy for Cassius Klingenfuss, 18, a senior at the Sun Valley Community School.

Klingenfuss said its bittersweet that he is close to his last performance, but that hes honored to be cast in Indecent, which will run Thursday, Feb. 8, through Saturday, Feb. 10 at the school.

I am grateful for a lot of these moments and the theater life, especially this show, which is a true example of what theater is, Klingenfuss said.

Indecent was inspired by a 1906 Broadway play titled God of Vengeance. The 1906 play was very controversial because it documented antisemitism and a lesbian relationship, said SVCS Creative Arts Academy Co-Director Kevin Wade.

The play is a meta-theatrical look at why theater matters, how censorship is harmful, how representation of all kinds of love is critical in how we tell stories, and how instrumental Yiddish theater and Jewish culture was in the genesis of contemporary American drama, Wade said.

Wade said Indecent is a play within a play, you laugh a lot and it leaves you in pieces at the end.

This is a real ensemble piece, where a troop of dead actors rise to tell a story of purgatory in a theatrical space, Wade said.

Indecent was written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel when she was a graduate student at Cornell University in 1973. It was first produced between 2015 and 2016 Off-Broadway, then premiered on Broadway in 2017. Indecent was nominated for three Tony Awards, and won for Best Direction of a Play and Lighting Design, according to the official Broadway website.

"The play is a metatheatrical look at why theater matters, how censorship is harmful, how representation of all kinds of love is critical in how we tell stories."

Kevin Wade

SVCS Creative Arts Academy co-director

When God of Vengeance first premiered on Broadway in 1906, the cast were jailed for indecency, Wade said. Indecent charts the history of an incendiary drama and the path of the artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it.

Its important to make history accessible to everyone and tell about antisemitism and censorship and how it manifests in all aspects of life, said Katie Gardiner, 18, who is also in the show.

Students on stage include Aster Pitts, Cassius Klingenfuss, Elizabeth Dahlen, Elyse Duffield Evan Dittami, Ida Belle Gorby, Ingrid Pratt, Katie Gardiner, Lidia Kaminer, Lizzie Loving, Moxxie Tellez, Phoebe Everett Williams, Steven Serva-Gonzales, Sydney Lovering, Winnifred Dolson and Callan Duke.

Students behind the scenes are Carter Hickey, Kyan Gandhi, Ida Belle Gorby, Moises Bicas-Dolgen, Bridger McBee, Cash Ammons and Reed Fowler.

This is an important show to come to and shows the power of theater, Klingenfuss said.

Wade said that, since there are depictions of antisemitism and violence, including events such as the Holocaust, it is recommended for high-school-age and older audiences.

Tickets range from $7 to $12, with a $2 convenience fee per ticket, and are available online at communityschool.org.

More here:
Community School theater to perform 'Indecent,' a play tackling censorship and antisemitism - Idaho Mountain Express and Guide

Ai Weiwei Critiques Political Censorship in the West: Echoes of Maos China?

Renowned Chinese dissident and artist, Ai Weiwei, has recently drawn striking comparisons between political censorship in Western societies and the suppression of free expression witnessed under Mao Zedongs rule in China. In an interview with Sky News, Ai Weiwei voiced his concerns on what he perceives as political censorship in the West, especially in light of the cancellation of his exhibition by the Lisson Gallery in London, subsequent to his social media posts about the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Ai Weiwei painted a picture of the current state of political discourse in the West, describing society as overly cautious and resistant to argumentation or questioning. He cited instances where individuals faced dire consequences, including job terminations and censorship, for expressing their fundamental viewpoints. According to Ai Weiwei, the fear of controversy and the evasion of critical discourse in Western societies bear an uncanny resemblance to the suppression of free expression that occurred under Maos regime.

Having grown up under extreme political censorship in China, Ai Weiweis views are shaped by his personal experiences. He underscored the striking similarity between the stifling of opinions and perspectives in the West and the oppressive environment he endured under Maos rule. Drawing from his own experiences, Ai Weiwei criticized the suppression of dissenting attitudes in Western universities, media, and various sectors, equating it to a cultural revolution aimed at silencing differing perspectives.

Ai Weiwei also expressed disappointment in Western artists, alleging that many have been corrupted by capitalism, prioritizing monetary gain and fame over the defense of freedom of expression. He expressed concern over the widespread reluctance in society to question or engage in argumentation, highlighting the extensive ramifications of this trend within universities, media, and various sectors.

Ai Weiweis advocacy for freedom of expression finds its roots in his experiences of political repression and censorship in China. His open criticism of the Beijing governments position on human rights and democracy has marked him as a key figure in advocating for freedom of expression and challenging political censorship. His critique raises pertinent questions about the state of political discourse and freedom of expression in Western societies. His perspective serves as a harsh reminder of the importance of free dialogue, expression, and the onus on artists to defend these values.

As Ai Weiwei continues to traverse the intersection of art, politics, and activism, his experiences and insights provide a compelling perspective to examine the complexities of political censorship and freedom of expression in the modern world. His steadfast commitment to speaking out against censorship and advocating for the fundamental value of free expression underscores the profound impact of art in challenging societal norms and fostering critical dialogue.

In light of Ai Weiweis critique of political censorship in Western societies, we are prompted to reflect on the parallels between contemporary discourse and historical repression, and the enduring importance of defending freedom of expression and challenging censorship in all its forms. His experiences as an artist and dissident offer a compelling narrative that underscores the role of art and activism in shaping public discourse and advocating for the preservation of free expression in a global context.

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Ai Weiwei's Take on Western Political Censorship - BNN Breaking

Book Club Dodson joins Boston.com's Book Club to talk about Mona Awads modern-day gothic fairy tale, Rouge. Wendy Dodson, founder and owner of Hummingbird Books in Chestnut Hill.

For Wendy Dodson, a Lincoln native and the owner of Hummingbird Books in Chestnut Hill, the COVID-19 pandemic forced into harsh perspective the essential role bookstores play in our lives.

I really believe that not in our lifetime, theres never been a more important time for people to read. Between COVID and our ability to connect in our virtual world, I just feel like we need places where people can come together again, and a bookstore is a perfect place for that, she said in an interview with Boston.com.

Before opening Hummingbird Books in 2022, Dodson had lived for 10 years in Jackson, Wyoming, where she owned the Valley Bookstore. She fell in love with the business and wanted to bring her experience to her community in Massachusetts.

She set up shop in The Street at Chestnut Hill, an open-air shopping center on Route 9.

The Chestnut Hill neighborhood did not have any bookstores before Dodson opened her store and she felt there was an urgent need for one, especially an independent bookstore with curated offerings for every reader.

Independent bookstores are really important. I try to curate a mix of books that represents everyone in our community and not what you would just find in a big box store, she said. A child of any background can come in, or any person can come and find a book where the lead character would be representative of the color of their skin and their background, she said.

Dodson said she wanted her bookstore to be a magical experience for children, especially. A place where they want to come and hopefully inspire them to be our next generation of readers, a place where kids would really want to spend a lot of time, where they could hopefully put down their iPhones and pick up a book.

To achieve this vision, the bookseller added an installation straight out of a storybook to the childrens section of the store, affectionately called The Great Oak Tree.

The painstaking installation efforts (which you can watch here in this time-lapse video) paid off. She said seeing families find joy in the tree (quite literally in the tree theres a reading room inside) has been heartwarming and affirming.

Kids love it. I become almost overwhelmed with emotions on a daily basis walking by and hearing an older sister reading to her younger brother, or a parent reading to their child inside the tree. Its everything I could possibly have dreamed of in owning the store, she said.

Dodsons dedication to providing a warm and welcoming environment for young readers has reached beyond Massachusetts to Beaufort County, South Carolina, whose school district currently has 97 challenged books, and more under review.

The bookstore partnered with Families Against Banned Books and Lowcountry Pride, two organizations working in book ban advocacy, to send challenged books to the district to be distributed among young readers. The titles arent available in the countys school libraries.

We [at Hummingbird Books] really believe that books unite us and censorship divides us. And that books really have the power to reach across cultural boundaries, connect readers and teach us important lessons. And we also really support freedom of expression and actively oppose the rising levels of censorship and book banning throughout the country, Dodson said.

This months Book Club pick is Rouge, by Mona Awad.Dodson will speak with Awad about the new book, which she called unique and thought provoking, on January 25 at 6 p.m.

In the novel, described by Simon Schuester as Snow White meets Eyes Wide Shut, protagonist Belle is led into a beauty cult after her mothers sudden death fuels her obsession with retaining her youth.

Catch up on the latest Boston.com Book Club pick and join the virtual author discussions.

See the original post here:
This bookseller is fighting censorship in Boston and beyond - Boston.com

This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.

AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now!, democracynow.org. Im Amy Goodman, with Juan Gonzlez.

We turn now to the acclaimed Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei. In November, he had an exhibit in London canceled after he wrote a social media post where he criticized the United States for its longtime financial support of Israel. Ai Weiwei has previously expressed support for Palestinians. He made a 2016 documentary, that includes Gaza in the global refugee crisis, called Human Flow.

Ai Weiwei is one of the worlds most acclaimed artists. In 2011, he was arrested at the Beijing airport, held for 81 days without charge. Hes been living in exile since 2015. Hes joining us here in New York City ahead of his event tonight at Town Hall thats part of PEN Americas PEN Out Loud series, when hell discuss his new graphic memoir, Zodiac.

Ai Weiwei, welcome back to Democracy Now! Lets start with that canceled London exhibit. What happened?

AI WEIWEI: Well, after I post, you know, a single line on Twitter, I never noticed people really become so sensitive or so crazy about my posts. Basically, post described the situation about the Israelis relations with U.S., and which is very, very you know, its very subjective. Its not from my point of view, but its really general facts.

So, then, you know, the galleries actually, not one gallery, but galleries in Paris and in London they got very worried. And I still dont know exactly the reason why they have to worry about an artists single line, you know, but, rather, they said they want to avoid this kind of argument, and theyre trying to protect my interest, so they postponed my shows not one, but altogether four shows.

So, I guess that proved what Im saying on Twitter is correct, because there is all over the world, you know, this strong censorship about different voices towards these kind of conflicts, and the conflict continues getting so massive and also seems its not going to stop. So, by doing that, yes, many of my shows have been canceled, so

JUAN GONZLEZ: Were you surprised by the reaction, given that youve been not only are you one of the most celebrated artists from China in the West, but also youve been a vocal supporter of the Palestinians for years?

AI WEIWEI: I am surprised. I think we are should live in a more free society and which carry a lot of different opinions and voice. But to have this kind of devastating case in dealing with the art community, not only art community, but also films or literature, I think it shows a really very bad and a backwards in terms of freedom of expression, human rights and, you know, all those issues.

AMY GOODMAN: You know, there are not many Chinese artists as celebrated and embraced by the West as you are, Ai Weiwei. Were you surprised by the swift retaliation against your position, which is really critiquing the West, in London, Britain and the U.S., when it comes to supporting the Israeli government, when it comes to the assault on Gaza?

AI WEIWEI: I think maybe I was celebrated for the wrong reason. But still, as the artist, I have to fight for the human dignity and also basic human rights, freedom of speech. And thats why Im here, so

AMY GOODMAN: Can I ask about your graphic novel, Ai Weiwei? Talk about Zodiac and the message youre conveying in this graphic memoir.

AI WEIWEI: Well, thanks for asking that. I came to New York to be part of this graphic novel how do you say? the promotion. And the novel take us about two, three years, with two other persons involved. And so, we made the drawing and the storyline, and, you know, its very I think its pretty unique and also charming in telling my personal stories in relating to Chinese classic stories, but also in relating to current events both in China and in the West. So, its very detailed and, you know, very visual narratives about the stories.

AMY GOODMAN: Ai Weiwei, your message to the world right now? You are a dissident when it comes to China. You cannot live inside China. Youre in exile. And now, when you come and are embraced by the West, you find yourself canceled again and again. Your thoughts?

AI WEIWEI: Well, I think we are living in a very crucial time globally. We have to rethink about our values or what we are really defending for. Its not only a challenge for individual artists, but also for the states. And we are gradually losing the ground of democracy or personal freedom, or even we are still facing crisis economic crisis, immigration crisis. Also, we are possibly at the edge of the World War III. You know, this is not an exaggeration. It can happen. And Im afraid this is the facts. But that would calling for every individual to defend the humanity and human rights.

AMY GOODMAN: I want to thank you so much for being with us, Ai Weiwei, world-renowned Chinese artist and activist, has a new graphic memoir called Zodiac. Hell be speaking tonight at Town Hall in New York.

Next up, its primary day in New Hampshire. As Donald Trump and Nikki Haley square off in the Republican race, well speak to a Democratic presidential candidate, Marianne Williamson, about her campaign against President Biden. Her name is on todays ballot in New Hampshire, though Bidens is not. Back in 20 seconds.

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Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei on Israel, Gaza & Censorship - Democracy Now!