I agree with you about the irony and satire potential of the grad student spokesperson. That was classic. I wish I could find the first news item I read about her--it had a ink to her X page which described in excruciating detail her thesis: examining romantic literature of the 1800's through a Marxist lens. I'm truncating and paraphrasing, but it was a doozy.
Can you imagine what the folks in flyover country are thinking about this (mostly) coastal kerfluffle? I think there is a direct line between these incidents, how Biden has handled them (it took him 9 or 10 days to even speak about it ) and the election. The defacing of property is bad enough along with the destruction and mess left behind, but we saw that in 2020's "summer of love". What's far more egregious to me, and was not highlighted in your essay, is the incredible and overt antisemitism. It's scary,, it's ignorant, and it seems like history is repeating itself.
I read recently that liberals view society as a battle between the oppressed and oppressors. Conservatives view society as civilization v barbarians. I'm not sure where "mushy moderates" come down on that sliding scale, but I agree with you--the nation will speak in November, and it ain't lookin' good for Joe Biden.
Looks like your family had a wonderful trip to Seattle! Ellen looks happy and healthy. I always enjoy your photos!
Biden has a tight rope to walk. For example, his instincts are to support Israel, but by doing so he has alienated the large Muslim population in Michigan, a key swing state. Hence his relatively recent tack to the left and his criticism of Israel. I don't see how he stays in the WH w/out Michigan. The abortion issue will only take him and the Dems so far.
Peeved leftists in 1968 actually prolonged the Vietnam War by wrecking Humphrey’s nomination moment, playing into Nixon’s law-and-order pitch, then staying home in November in sufficient numbers to let Nixon squeak in. There’s no rule against history repeating itself in 2024. These kids demanding a catered craft service table for their little revolution don’t exactly have the full sympathy of the country behind them.
I always hesitate to take the kids-these-days approach but sometimes I can't help myself. On some level we must be responsible as well. After all, we raised them right? ;-)
I have no patience for the sophomoric “I-want-it-both-ways” attitude of some students, many of whom lack a basic understanding of what, exactly, they are protesting. That said, certain universities have been too quick to call in law enforcement, IMO, which has only exacerbated those troublesome situations. Thus, I applaud institutions like Wesleyan and Brown that have taken a more measured approach that involves discussion and a willingness to allow students to exercise their 1A rights so long as they remain nonviolent and essentially law-abiding. Other universities would do well to follow the example of Wesleyan President Michael Roth, for example, whose recent comments on the situation are linked here:
I agree with you about the irony and satire potential of the grad student spokesperson. That was classic. I wish I could find the first news item I read about her--it had a ink to her X page which described in excruciating detail her thesis: examining romantic literature of the 1800's through a Marxist lens. I'm truncating and paraphrasing, but it was a doozy.
Can you imagine what the folks in flyover country are thinking about this (mostly) coastal kerfluffle? I think there is a direct line between these incidents, how Biden has handled them (it took him 9 or 10 days to even speak about it ) and the election. The defacing of property is bad enough along with the destruction and mess left behind, but we saw that in 2020's "summer of love". What's far more egregious to me, and was not highlighted in your essay, is the incredible and overt antisemitism. It's scary,, it's ignorant, and it seems like history is repeating itself.
I read recently that liberals view society as a battle between the oppressed and oppressors. Conservatives view society as civilization v barbarians. I'm not sure where "mushy moderates" come down on that sliding scale, but I agree with you--the nation will speak in November, and it ain't lookin' good for Joe Biden.
Looks like your family had a wonderful trip to Seattle! Ellen looks happy and healthy. I always enjoy your photos!
Biden has a tight rope to walk. For example, his instincts are to support Israel, but by doing so he has alienated the large Muslim population in Michigan, a key swing state. Hence his relatively recent tack to the left and his criticism of Israel. I don't see how he stays in the WH w/out Michigan. The abortion issue will only take him and the Dems so far.
That protester’s comments are infuriating.
Peeved leftists in 1968 actually prolonged the Vietnam War by wrecking Humphrey’s nomination moment, playing into Nixon’s law-and-order pitch, then staying home in November in sufficient numbers to let Nixon squeak in. There’s no rule against history repeating itself in 2024. These kids demanding a catered craft service table for their little revolution don’t exactly have the full sympathy of the country behind them.
I always hesitate to take the kids-these-days approach but sometimes I can't help myself. On some level we must be responsible as well. After all, we raised them right? ;-)
I have no patience for the sophomoric “I-want-it-both-ways” attitude of some students, many of whom lack a basic understanding of what, exactly, they are protesting. That said, certain universities have been too quick to call in law enforcement, IMO, which has only exacerbated those troublesome situations. Thus, I applaud institutions like Wesleyan and Brown that have taken a more measured approach that involves discussion and a willingness to allow students to exercise their 1A rights so long as they remain nonviolent and essentially law-abiding. Other universities would do well to follow the example of Wesleyan President Michael Roth, for example, whose recent comments on the situation are linked here:
https://roth.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2024/05/02/update-on-campus-protests/
Agree with the interesting comments submitted. And loved the pictures of you and your family! Ellen looks well!!
Privilege at its finest!