Washington, DC – January 17, 2025 – In a bold move just days before his presidency concludes, President Joe Biden has declared the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to be the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, stating it as “the law of the land.” This declaration has ignited a firestorm of debate and legal scrutiny across the nation.

Biden’s statement came in a press release where he affirmed his belief that the ERA, which seeks to guarantee equal rights for all citizens regardless of sex, has met the necessary ratification requirements. “In keeping with my oath and duty to Constitution and country, I affirm what I believe and what three-fourths of the states have ratified: the 28th Amendment is the law of the land, guaranteeing all Americans equal rights and protections under the law regardless of their sex,” Biden stated.

However, the President’s claim has stirred significant controversy. The ERA, initially passed by Congress in 1972, required ratification by 38 states to become part of the Constitution. While Virginia’s ratification in 2020 would technically meet this threshold, the amendment has faced numerous legal hurdles, including a missed ratification deadline set by Congress.

The National Archives, responsible for publishing constitutional amendments, has not certified the ERA as part of the Constitution. The U.S. Archivist, Colleen Shogan, has previously stated that the ERA’s eligibility for ratification has expired, citing legal opinions from the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel.https://youtu.be/nv0MZFIVhkk

As Biden’s term winds down, this action could be seen as part of his legacy push for equality, but the immediate legal and political ramifications are still unfolding. The nation watches as this chapter in American constitutional law continues to develop.

In a twist to the story, as of 1:09 PM on January 16, 2024, a truck was spotted on the scene reinstalling another camera to the same pole from which Commisoner Skelton is alleged to have removed the previous one, indicating a quick response by either the state department or possibly Flock Group to reinstate their surveillance equipment.,

– Camden County Presiding Commissioner Ike Skelton finds himself at the center of a legal storm after reportedly taking down a license plate reader (LPR) system installed by Flock Group, Inc., on Highway 54 near D-Road. The incident, which has sparked a debate over privacy versus public safety, occurred just days ago, leading to an ongoing investigation by local authorities.

According to reports, Skelton was observed by a Missouri Highway Patrol trooper in the act of removing the surveillance equipment from its pole. The trooper immediately notified both the Camden County Sheriff’s Office and the Highway Patrol, prompting the latter to take charge of the investigation. This action follows a contentious ordinance passed by the Camden County Commission in January 2024, which banned all automated license plate readers within the unincorporated areas of the county, citing concerns over privacy and potential violations of constitutional rights.

Skelton, an advocate for limited government and individual liberty, has been vocal about his opposition to such surveillance technologies. His stance has previously led to public disputes, including a notable disagreement with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives over firearm permit information sharing. The recent incident with the LPR system is seen by some as an extension of his commitment to protecting residents’ privacy rights, while others view it as an overstep of authority.

The Flock camera in question was part of a study agreement with the Missouri Department of Public Safety, aimed at assessing the effectiveness of license plate reader technology in criminal investigations. Critics argue that these cameras are essential tools for law enforcement, enabling quick identification of stolen vehicles or vehicles associated with criminal activity. However, supporters of Skelton’s actions highlight the potential for misuse of such extensive surveillance capabilities, questioning the balance between security and personal freedoms.

The investigation continues without clear indications of whether charges will be filed. The legal implications could set a precedent for how local governments interact with state or private surveillance initiatives, especially in areas where local ordinances conflict with broader public safety efforts.

The Camden County Sheriff’s Office, alongside the Missouri Department of Public Safety, is expected to release more details as the investigation progresses. Meanwhile, the community remains divided, with debates on social media and local forums reflecting the broader national conversation about surveillance, privacy, and law enforcement’s role in modern society.

In an era where digital content creation is increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence, the use of AI-generated images has begun to overshadow educational applications, veering instead towards sensationalism and misinformation. This shift is not only altering public discourse but also challenging the integrity of visual media.

Artificial intelligence has dramatically transformed the landscape of digital imagery. Tools like DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, and others have made it possible to create highly realistic or fantastical images from simple text prompts, democratizing content creation but also opening the floodgates for misinformation. Originally heralded for their potential in educational settings – to simulate historical events, enrich learning materials, or provide visual aids for complex concepts – these tools have found a more prominent place in the realm of social media and news.

The allure of AI-generated images has led to a noticeable trend where sensationalism trumps educational value. During recent natural disasters in the US, for example, AI-generated photos circulated widely on social media, often depicting exaggerated or entirely fictitious scenarios. These images, whether shared intentionally to mislead or by mistake, have significantly impacted public perception and response to real-world events. Experts have noted that this misuse of AI imagery makes it increasingly difficult for individuals to discern fact from fiction, thus diluting the educational potential of AI in understanding and responding to such events.

In educational contexts, AI imagery was supposed to offer a new frontier. Schools and universities were exploring the use of AI to create interactive and personalized learning experiences. However, the current trend shows a stark reality where educational institutions are lagging in adopting these technologies compared to their use in sensationalist media. The misuse of AI for sensationalism while promoting its use in education. Experts advocate for a balanced approach where AI’s capabilities are harnessed for creating content that can educate, not just entertain or mislead. There’s a call for more robust digital literacy programs, not just for students but also for adults, to navigate this new digital landscape effectively.

Moreover, there is an urgent need for policy frameworks that can regulate the use of AI in content the narrative around AI-generated images is dominated by sensationalism, but there remains a potent opportunity for education to reclaim its ground. The balance will depend on concerted efforts by educators, policymakers, and technology developers to steer AI back towards its promise of enhancing human learning and understanding, rather than merely capturing fleeting attention through sensationalism.