I do want to add that turnout in 2026 will likely be higher than this election (it may top 2018). That likely will helps Republicans slightly, but the results here (combined with other 2025 election results) still are a bad sign for Republicans. And their numbers may not have yet bottomed out

hope it will make instructors reluctant to not give them an A. This would harm education

situation). Rather, the instructor needs to explain how the student could have built their argument. That being said, the university’s reaction is deeply disturbing. Removing the instructor will only encourage others to not follow assignment instructions but just argue religious beliefs in the 6/

Now, I think the instructor did make mistakes in handling the situation (to be fair, handling students disagreements with grades is hardest thing when you start teaching). The instructor’s response basically said you are free to have your beliefs but they are wrong (that tone will not help the 5/

an F. That being said, universities have procedures to appeal grades, so if the grade is unjustifiable, there are ways to rectify it. Now based on the student’s behavior, it seems like they want to be a martyr, so I don’t think the grade matters (the student would still be upset if given an A now)4/

instructions, it should receive a low grade, but a 0 is tough to justify. Although they do it poorly, the student does argue the paper’s topic is not worth studying (while I would disagree, that is a possible reaction) so they should have received 1-5 points for this attempted argument, so still 3/

X and because of my religious beliefs I disagree with this argument, it becomes a poorly written religious rant (a good paper builds from the initial disagreement; it provides evidence against the author’s argument or conclusions). Now, in terms of the student’s grade, based on the assignment 2/

correct in giving a low grade. The instructors response was also unhelpful (it implies you are free to have your beliefs but they are wrong; not the tone to take with a student). It is fine to point out flaws in the their argument but challenging their personal beliefs never leads to a good outcome

argument in the assigned assignment. Now, I think the instructor could have handled this better (the student clearly does not understand what a stereotype is or understand that a stereotype is not necessarily negative and the instructor should have addressed this with the student), but they were 5/

anything in my essay). Unfortunately, the university has overreacted by removing the instructor which will encourage this behavior. Her citing her religious beliefs is not a problem (our beliefs/experiences would influence our reaction to any argument). The problem is she does not address 4/

justify. However, there are procedures in place in any university to appeal grades. Unfortunately, this student wants to be a martyr, so she is making trying to make this into a religious discrimination case (in essence claiming because I cited my religious beliefs, I should not be penalized for 3/

the article’s topic. Now, she does argue (poorly) the topic is not worth studying (which is a viewpoint a student could present), but fails to make a coherent argument for that claim. Thus, she might have a claim the 0 is not the appropriate grade (although I think anything above 5/25 is hard to 2/

I also want to encourage you to let others know how to discuss politics. While the process of convincing people to change their minds is slow, it is necessary for your preferred politics to win. Will it work on everyone NO, but it is worth it if it gets more people on our side

Finally, keep your cool. Because you are more informed, it can be frustrating dealing with a “normal” person. However, they will be more accepting of the new information if you keep your cool. Yelling at them makes you feel good in the short term, convincing them helps us all win in the long term

Next, understand the information they do have has likely been picked up accidentally, so it is likely incomplete (or outright false). DO NOT act like they are an idiot. Ask where they got the information and show them their mistakes. Don’t just tell them they are wrong, help them see they are wrong

Second, when people find claims to be hard to believe their natural instinct is to assume it is a partisan attack. This is a problem with Trump because he does many things that are so outrageous it is hard to believe they are true. So be willing to provide evidence what you say is true 3/

First, understand that most people don’t pay attention to politics. So things you assume everyone knows, very likely people at Thanksgiving do not know. So don’t assume they know what the Trump administration is doing (they likely do not). You need to be clear about what is happening 2/