Thread by @steadyswer

There is some concerning manipulation happening in @RichardsonISD. Yesterday, an article appeared online on the rag website Dallas Express, quoting failed school board Lynn Davenport. She takes credit for the resignation of Dr. Jennie Stone, of course. A 🧵

To understand why Dallas Express would give air to the QAnon Queen Lynn Davenport, one would need to know the history of this “publication.” What is Dallas Express, anyway? It all starts with right wing donor Monty Bennett.

You see, Dallas Express claims to be a “truth telling” media site, but it’s origin under Mr. Bennett’s ownership is pretty shady. More here: dmagazine.com/frontburner/20…

Monty Bennett, founder, chairman, and CEO of Ashford + the founder and chairman of Ashford Hospitality Trust + Braemar Hotels & Resorts, didn’t like the press he received from other publications, so he created his own to share his version. Doesn’t sound like ‘the truth’ does it?

But there’s more. He didn’t just open this publication site to advertise under the guise of news. dmagazine.com/publications/d…

The New York Times published a few investigative articles on the corrupt Monty Bennett, including his ties to right wing conservative politicians. How does this have anything to do with Richardson ISD? Wait for it…

nytimes.com/2020/05/01/bus…

Yesterday, this rag publication Dallas Express posted an article wherein Lynn Davenport was quoted so often, it was if she wrote the article herself. Which is weird, because her writing is usually word vomit. Sharing a video so Dallas Express doesn’t get any traffic.

I hadn’t ever heard of Dallas Express, but I used the critical thinking that I learned in public school to judge this article. The moment I read “Parent advocate Lynn Davenport” I knew the whole website was 🗑. But what is the connection between Monty Bennett and RISD? 🤔

To understand the answer to my last question, you’d have to know about the Richardson ISD Families First PAC, which was created + filed in 10/21 and has organized parents to 1) scream about masks at BoT meetings, 2) ban books, + 3) use the slogan “it’s not just tires; FIRE STONE”

The PAC has an Instagram page where they spread their conspiracy theories. Would love to screenshot, but they block anyone who opposes their organized tantrums. To understand the connection, one would have to know who’s behind the PAC.

A quick public records search brings me to Brandon Walls, a parent of a child at @BowieMustangs Bowie Elementary in @RichardsonISD and a colleague of 🛎 Monty Bennett 🛎 These two, as it turns out, run in the same conspiracy clique as Davenport.

I have so many questions, but a specific one for Mr. Walls. Can you help me understand which Richardson ISD families are first? The last time I attended a board meeting w/ PAC supporters, it was a sea of white, upper middle class people. Do you mean that those families are first?

So, in summary: There is a right wing PAC that is working hard to influence the education of all students in @RichardsonISD. It was founded by a man w/close ties to a high-stakes donor who created his own publication to manipulate readers into thinking his site was real.

These two run in the same circles as failed school board candidate + Qanon queen Lynn Davenport. During breaks from @RichardsonISD board meetings, school board members @Eronlinn_risdD2 + Chris Poteet visit with this group for handshakes and hugs.

Outside of the board meetings, school board members Megan Timme and Eric Eager meet with these parents. Four of our 6 school board members give air to the group of conspiracy theorists who are claiming ownership of the resignation of Dr. Stone.

One can expect that Dallas Express will be one of the tools used to manipulate voters in the upcoming @RichardsonISD BoT elections. This right-wing funded, rag publication will share anything it takes to smear the candidates running against their candidate of choice.

Huge thanks to the parents who have helped connect these dots. End 🧵

Okay just one more— journalist @stevanzetti spoke on this earlier in the year:

https://twitter.com/stevanzetti/status/1359171951286243333