Accurate information is the most important tool at citizens’ disposal. We know that a functioning democracy requires an informed citizenry–meaning a citizenry in possession of factual information, not one misinformed by tribal propaganda. The centrality of reliable information to the democratic process explains the Trump administration’s efforts to destroy the institutions that provide that information: especially the legitimate media and the nation’s universities.
Contemporary Americans are confronting the very real threat of losing both our constitutional republic and our common sources of credible information. The thus-far unanswered question is what role our scattered and fragmented internet landscape will play in this ongoing drama. How many Americans will opt for visiting the numerous sites offering vetted and valuable data, and how many will choose to occupy the preferred “reality” offered by the equally numerous sites devoted to reinforcing their misconceptions and prejudices.
And then there’s the “sixty-four thousand dollar” question, the one that keeps me up at night: when the inhabitants of a country occupy wildly different realities, when each of us can choose to inhabit a preferred political or social construct, is rational governance even possible? In such a world, is there even a We the People to be governed?
I don’t know the answers to those questions, but I do recognize the vast educational potential of the Internet. There are literally millions of sites that offer insights into the world we inhabit, sites that simply describe what we know about “what is.” Perhaps the continued development of AI will introduce some order to the Internet’s wildly fragmented sources of information, misinformation and disinformation.
Who knows? Certainly not this elderly blogger….
That said, I recently stumbled across a fascinating website that triggered these observations.
MAP describes itself as “an independent, nonprofit think tank,” working to create a “thriving, inclusive, and equitable America where all people have a fair chance to pursue health and happiness, earn a living, take care of the ones they love, be safe in their communities, and participate in civic life.” It seeks to advance conversation and achieve policy change through the presentation of information based upon rigorous research and strong, collaborative partnerships.
MAP produces (duh!) maps. Democracy maps. Equality maps.
The democracy maps track the election laws and policies of each state, to create what the site describes as a “detailed roadmap of how states can optimize civic engagement and protect the security, integrity and independence of our elections.” The maps track more than 50 aspects of state election and voting laws, and make it easy to see which states are providing an environment protective of democracy, and which states are falling “woefully short.” It was fascinating to see the significant differences across the states in access to voting and the ability of citizens to mount referenda. Each state is awarded a “Democracy Tally”–based upon the number of laws and policies within the state that help create a secure and healthy election system.
The site also tracks state-level equality for LGBTQ+ citizens. Those maps score the laws and policies affecting the gay community within each state– the laws affecting things like relationships, nondiscrimination, religious exemptions, LGBTQ youth, and access to health care, among others. (It will come as no surprise to Hoosiers that our state is one of the 17–representing 32% of the U.S. population– with the very lowest level of equality for our LGBTQ+ neighbors.)
The site offers a wealth of information, and does so with easily understood graphics. It also has copious citations to academic and other resources, allowing any visitor to confirm the accuracy of the data provided. I really encourage you to click through and browse the informative maps and charts that paint a visual picture of America’s patchwork democratic and equality landscapes.
Every so often, I come across a website like this one that offers rigorously vetted and understandable information about a wide variety of subjects–everything from environmental analyses to medical breakthroughs to criminal justice trends. Other sites offer sweeping overviews of, or deep dives into, specific aspects of world history, of philosophical movements, of the development of the arts… We are the first generation to have this enormous trove of scholarship and information literally at our fingertips.
We could use all that hard-won information to educate and inform ourselves, and to make the world a better place.
Im very interested in MAP but not able to access anything but Google Maps. Can post a fuller website? Thanks.
I’d like to know more about the people who produced this website. They apparently don’t buy into the constant drumbeat of doom, gloom and despair that is the rhythm section of popular punditry these days.
Click on ” a fascinating web site that triggered these observations”. MAP stands for Movement Advancement Project. Or try New Democracy Maps.
This URL works: https://www.lgbtmap.org/
For those interested, the Colorado nonprofit Sheila references has the following funders:
https://www.lgbtmap.org/about-map/our-major-funders
I am sure our Colorado resident will be happy to read about this. I am sure the MAGA crowd and their cult-leader would call their site, DEI since it focuses on equality which is a sign of weakness or ‘inequality.’
When you’re too ignorant to grasp the point of diversity, equity, and inclusion, then it’s easy to just consider it racism and blow it up. Or, with what I encounter on social media, which is a sure sign of MAGA-ness, are laugh emojis. They can’t discuss a topic intellectually, so they just post laugh emojis.
And Sheila wonders how we’re going to be able to communicate with these ignorant assholes. It’s not possible. They’re illiterate and ignorant. They gather news from TV only which is visual images. If they were to pick out a book to read, they would choose one that is illustrated with colored pictures.
You can lead them in a private corporation but focusing them on the corporate mission, but outside of that, it’s not possible. Memes with no more than 10 words are how they communicate to others. #Darwinism
Happy Bastille Day – a good day to discuss, “…institutions that provide that information: especially the legitimate media…”
Steve Robinson, investigative reporter and editor of the “Maine Wire,” has, since 2022, personally visited, and interviewed personnel, and neighbors, of illicit marijuana processing operations in rural Maine. He has gathered mortgage records, tax records, legal records, electrical service records, all incriminating Chinese drug cartels which have legally purchased real estate in Maine on which these marijuana operations are taking place at more than 300 sites. He has offered this information to the three major Maine newspapers, but has been unable to get them to publish their own reports on this topic which Robinson characterizes as a “national health emergency.”
Robinson, when asked who controls the media in Maine, has indicated that, “…the largest newspaper currently is owned by the Maine Trust for Local News, which is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Local News, which is a non-profit funded by George Soros.” So, it is George Soros who controls the media in Maine.
Robinson, citing the permanent environmental contamination of real estate from herbicides and pesticides illicit Chinese growers use to stimulate marijuana plant growth, is hopeful that he can interest the federal government, particularly the EPA, “… to go after these facilities that we know are using unregistered poisons.”
This is likely a failure (or corruption) of legitimate media to cover an unreported emergency. This very well could explode into a Maine Bastille Day if the fed-up citizens of Maine turn to vigilante action to burn down these Chinese drug cartel operations after their state, county, and media operations have failed to act.
I’d pose a different question;
Dividing for a moment the people in say: Indiana and neighboring Illinois into 3 groups:
1) Supporters- strongly of DT- whether- single issue such as- Homo/Trans Phobias, strongly Racist/Anti-Immigrant or Economic- “Conservatives “ or multi- issues vs
2) Strongly- Resistant-to multiple key issues vs
3) Others- on the sidelines- apathetic seemingly- Those who are now fine- as long as they have their- Indy Colts or Pacers or Purdue Men’a Basketball or local Arts Scene or – excuses such as “I’m too old” or “It’s Hopeless “ or I’ll send my check to : one or several pols
We need to be in group Two, ally with each other and reach more of 1 and 3- as we can now and soon before it’s too late
While reading today’s blog post I wondered how up-to-date their info and maps are. The site states that they are updated in real time as soon as new state laws go into effect. I signed up for their map newsletter.
Per the comments about Soros, sources indicate that it is much more complicated that the commenter represents.
Background on the ownership seems to indicate that there is more than one involved.
“AI Overview
No, George Soros does not own the National Trust for Local News (NTLN).
The National Trust for Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded in 2021 to acquire and operate local newspapers. It aims to preserve local newspapers by ensuring local ownership and operational control.
However, Soros’ Open Society Foundations has been listed as a supporter of the National Trust for Local News and has provided general support funding, reportedly totaling millions of dollars, since 2019. Other funders include the Google News Initiative and the Knight Foundation, among several dozen other philanthropic foundations and individuals.
The NTLN has been involved in several acquisitions aimed at preventing newspapers from being taken over by corporate chains, including the purchase of the Portland Press Herald and other Maine newspapers. Some reports indicate that Soros may have been involved in providing some of the funding for the acquisition of the Maine newspapers.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Trust_for_Local_News
For Gordon,
This article isn’t behind a paywall and addresses your Chinese Nationals and their pot houses in Maine.
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/07/08/state/state-police-courts/several-maine-properties-allegedly-used-multimillion-dollar-illegal-marijuana/
“Perhaps the continued development of AI will introduce some order to the Internet’s wildly fragmented sources of information, misinformation and disinformation.” And who controls AI development?
Even if the maps are accurate and potentially useful, most Americans have had little or no education into media literacy, visual literacy, data literacy…
One of my political science professors used to say that the Chinese would never take over the world militarily. He claimed they will just save up and buy it. Seems logical in a lot of ways but think about the fact that no military was needed to engage millions of Americans in posting silly things on TicToc. There are an infinite number of ways to win favor and from that one can win power. That was the point of USAID.
Soft power is so much better than war, and, as an added bonus, we got to save lives! So it seems the Chinese want the downeasterners to be chill in the cold. It could be the beginning of the end, it could be a good thing or it might be nothing at all
It’s good to have a website that has so much information. Thank you, Sheila!
Happy Bastille Day!
Thanks Todd for 7/8/25 link to Bangor Daily News. It’s encouraging this Maine Chinese drug cartel issue is getting press.
Rest assured high end wealth has developed redundant systems storing essential data and information from all civil federal systems before they are destroyed to recover civil government in a future generation.