The Buzz 04.03.25

FREE SPEECH

When Elon Musk assumed ownership of Twitter, now known as X, users noted the platform’s algorithm shifted hard to the right, giving prominence to posts that spew misinformation and hate speech. With Musk taking a controversial major role in President Donald Trump’s administration, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, urged Democrats in the California Assembly to leave the social media platform. As of March 27, 58 of the 60 Democrats have left X (including Rivas and Dawn Addis), according to Rivas’ office, although it has historically been a popular platform for legislators to share information to constituents. “Hate speech is everywhere on X, the company has no accountability, and the flood of misinformation from fake accounts is just that – fake,” Rivas said in a statement. Rivas’ office stated the exodus is one of the single largest departures of elected officials from the platform. Monterey County’s Congressional representatives, Zoe Lofgren and Jimmy Panetta, and state senator, John Laird, remain active on X. Assembly Democrats, meanwhile, will maintain their presence on other social media platforms, including those by Meta, which eliminated independent fact-checkers in January.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“No one knows what the plan is.” - A worker, who wished to remain anonymous, after being reinstated to their job at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Salinas following federal government cuts (see story, montereycountynow.com)

GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK

GOOD:

It’s now easier for Monterey Peninsula College students wishing to transfer to CSU Monterey Bay and continue their education. MPC and CSUMB leaders celebrated a new agreement between the two institutions on March 24 that streamlines the process. The Lobo Otter Pathway Program allows students to apply to both schools simultaneously with one application. It’s geared toward students who do not meet CSU requirements after high school, or those who are returning to school after a break. In a press release, CSUMB President Vanya Quiñones said the new program will “provide local high school students with a clear, supportive roadmap to complete their associate degree for transfer and continue their education at Cal State Monterey Bay.” CSUMB and MPC have recently worked together on a nursing program that allows students to complete an accelerated bachelor’s degree.

GREAT:

Six veterans were laid to rest with full military honors at the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery on March 25. Unlike most memorials where family and friends gather in mourning for the loss of a loved one, at this ceremony hardly anyone in attendance knew who the men were, because they had died alone. The veterans – Andrew Stanley Brzowtowski, Jeffrey A. Graham, Ralph D. Hucke, John Randolph McConnell, David Calvin Schaeffer and Richard Clarence Wilkerson – served during the Vietnam era up to the early Gulf War. “They seemingly passed away alone and unacknowledged, but they were not left behind. Veterans don’t forget. We don’t leave anyone behind,” said Jack Murphy, veterans services officer for Monterey and San Benito counties. Murphy said he plans on organizing ceremonies for more indigent veterans in the future.