The Fake Smoking Gun (Updated)

The SC Freedom Caucus uses a bizarre video as a centerpiece of its attack on a Lexington school district.

Updates: the Freedom Caucus and Lexington One subsequently settled this case, with the district acknowledging no wrongdoing. Rep. Adam Morgan is now running for a seat in the US House. The Freedom Caucus has tripled down on anti- “woke” rhetoric, a vague bill abolishing “DEI” in state universities, and anti-trans bills. Morgan has more recently made headlines campaigning with Matt Gaetz. Mahdavi has become something of a local talking head in book banning circles.

Teiresias: I have much to tell you: listen to the prophet, Creon.

Creon: I am not aware that I have ever failed to listen.

-Antigone, Sophocles (translated by Fitts and Fitzgerald)

In the ancient Greek tragedy Antigone, the new king Creon receives a visit from one of Greek mythology’s main characters, the prophet Teiresias, a man wise enough that he has lived as a woman¹ (apologies if this newsletter causes extremists to try to cancel Classical literature) and will continue to be sought out for advice even after he is dead². Cre…