Quo Vadis GOP?

[Sheilbh]

Soon there'll be reports of miracles happening.

On the psychodrama bit as garbon says - the nearest I can think of from my own life is Diana which was insane (especially looking back) - just unbridled, sentimental national hysteria.

Kirk's widow must be going through hell and I have only sympathy for her, but her saynig "you have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country and this world. You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry." And talking about how much he "loved" Trump.

There is an emotional pitch to all this that I can't. I just keep on thinking about the fact that Trump saw Evita five times when it landed on Broadway ("I know writers who use subtext and they're all cowards").

[garbon]

Far lefties are smarter then normal lefties?

Depends how much you agree with their assessment that "free speech" is controlled by the far right and you really need to protect yourself online.
It's hyperbole but I can get the point.

They look like chicken shits.

[garbon]

Soon there'll be reports of miracles happening.

On the psychodrama bit as garbon says - the nearest I can think of from my own life is Diana which was insane (especially looking back) - just unbridled, sentimental national hysteria.

Kirk's widow must be going through hell and I have only sympathy for her, but her saynig "you have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country and this world. You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry." And talking about how much he "loved" Trump.

There is an emotional pitch to all this that I can't. I just keep on thinking about the fact that Trump saw Evita five times when it landed on Broadway ("I know writers who use subtext and they're all cowards").

Yeah what she said was crazy too. I was like it is true, I have no idea what you are talking about.

[grumbler]

A lot of university campuses had their flags at half mast.

University campuses. For the guy who set up the "Professors' Watchlist".

Your institutions are peopled with cowardly, craven, complacent individuals. Or people who are simply corrupt, ambitious, or content with authoritarianism. It's your job to strengthen the resolve of the first, or get the second out of your institutions. Don't wait for elections. Don't wait for institutional wheels to save you. Don't wait for the courts. Don't wait for mythical new leaders to emerge magically.

Yes, you academics do come off looking like cowardly, craven, complacent individuals. That's not what I expected from the way you talk. It's your job to strengthen your collective resolve. Don't wait for institutional wheels to save you. Don't wait for the courts. Don't wait for mythical new leaders to emerge magically.

[Crazy_Ivan80]

A lot of university campuses had their flags at half mast.

University campuses. For the guy who set up the "Professors' Watchlist".

Your institutions are peopled with cowardly, craven, complacent individuals. Or people who are simply corrupt, ambitious, or content with authoritarianism. It's your job to strengthen the resolve of the first, or get the second out of your institutions. Don't wait for elections. Don't wait for institutional wheels to save you. Don't wait for the courts. Don't wait for mythical new leaders to emerge magically.

Of course, they don't want to be cancelled.  The institutions that were frightened of being canceled by the left are now frightened by the right.   You didn't really think they was on your side, did you?

houellebecq also had the academia bend the knee in his book too iirc. seems he may have gotten the amount of backbone right

[Oexmelin]

If this is somehow an attempt at "physician heal thyself", it is misplaced. I have said the exact same thing to my colleagues, whom I urge to take action much more urgently than what they are currently doing. US academia is thoroughly steeped in professional individualism however, and building collective action (not to mention unionize) or a rapport of strength with university administration is incredibly difficult, beyond the "strongly worded letter". Many of my colleagues conflate a position of comfort (doing what they've always done) with a position of principle (that's the true spirit of resistance!).

As for myself, I will fully admit that I chose to GTFO of the US in 2020. As a non-citizen, considering the situation now, I think that was the right call. I have shifted my professional investment, with a lot more public history, teaching, and involvement in university governance - to prevent, as much as I can, the sort of thing happening in your country.

Cowardice, complacency, apathy, aren't  limited to academia, alas. So maybe a call to action in your own field, community or place of employment may be useful.

[crazy canuck]

If this is somehow an attempt at "physician heal thyself", it is misplaced. I have said the exact same thing to my colleagues, whom I urge to take action much more urgently than what they are currently doing. US academia is thoroughly steeped in professional individualism however, and building collective action (not to mention unionize) or a rapport of strength with university administration is incredibly difficult, beyond the "strongly worded letter". Many of my colleagues conflate a position of comfort (doing what they've always done) with a position of principle (that's the true spirit of resistance!).

As for myself, I will fully admit that I chose to GTFO of the US in 2020. As a non-citizen, considering the situation now, I think that was the right call. I have shifted my professional investment, with a lot more public history, teaching, and involvement in university governance - to prevent, as much as I can, the sort of thing happening in your country.

Cowardice, complacency, apathy, aren't  limited to academia, alas. So maybe a call to action in your own field, community or place of employment may be useful.

Indeed, it would take someone who was completely uninformed of what happened over the last three months to come to the conclusion that the problem is the professors within the universities.

[grumbler]

If this is somehow an attempt at "physician heal thyself", it is misplaced. I have said the exact same thing to my colleagues, whom I urge to take action much more urgently than what they are currently doing. US academia is thoroughly steeped in professional individualism however, and building collective action (not to mention unionize) or a rapport of strength with university administration is incredibly difficult, beyond the "strongly worded letter". Many of my colleagues conflate a position of comfort (doing what they've always done) with a position of principle (that's the true spirit of resistance!).

As for myself, I will fully admit that I chose to GTFO of the US in 2020. As a non-citizen, considering the situation now, I think that was the right call. I have shifted my professional investment, with a lot more public history, teaching, and involvement in university governance - to prevent, as much as I can, the sort of thing happening in your country.

Cowardice, complacency, apathy, aren't  limited to academia, alas. So maybe a call to action in your own field, community or place of employment may be useful.

Hey, I just saw how much fun you seemed to be having with the whole judgemental, condescending, and vague schtick that I decided to try it myself. It is fun, though not at all useful in terms of solving the problems.

[Oexmelin]

I am sorry that you mistake genuine care and concern for a country I care for, and for people that are dear to me, for condescension.

My only schtick at this point is to urge people to get involved in their local political life, their communities, the institutions they inhabit.

[DGuller]

A lot of university campuses had their flags at half mast.

University campuses. For the guy who set up the "Professors' Watchlist".

Your institutions are peopled with cowardly, craven, complacent individuals. Or people who are simply corrupt, ambitious, or content with authoritarianism. It's your job to strengthen the resolve of the first, or get the second out of your institutions. Don't wait for elections. Don't wait for institutional wheels to save you. Don't wait for the courts. Don't wait for mythical new leaders to emerge magically.

Of course, they don't want to be cancelled.  The institutions that were frightened of being canceled by the left are now frightened by the right.   You didn't really think they was on your side, did you?

I've been saying for many years that cancel culture can work both ways, and has historically sometimes been applied against the left.  That's why it helps to view things with some principles, rather than a quick glance of who gets shafted today.

[Valmy]

I've been saying for many years that cancel culture can work both ways, and has historically sometimes been applied against the left.  That's why it helps to view things with some principles, rather than a quick glance of who gets shafted today.

Indeed, which is why I was always against cancel culture. It is slightly different when they are afraid of being cancelled by the state vs. just social pressure though.

[The Minsky Moment]

It is kind of bizarre to see some of these right wing culture warriors lionize Charlie Kirk as some golden avatar of free speech, ready to respect others and meet them in free and open debate, and then almost in the same breadth, demand a crusade to fire and ruin everyone anymore who has anything negative to say about Kirk or express any satisfaction in his demise.

[Admiral Yi]

It is kind of bizarre to see some of these right wing culture warriors lionize Charlie Kirk as some golden avatar of free speech, ready to respect others and meet them in free and open debate, and then almost in the same breadth, demand a crusade to fire and ruin everyone anymore who has anything negative to say about Kirk or express any satisfaction in his demise.

I've got problems with people who express satisfaction in his demise.  Does that make me a right wing culture warrior?

[Tonitrus]

I've been saying for many years that cancel culture can work both ways, and has historically sometimes been applied against the left.  That's why it helps to view things with some principles, rather than a quick glance of who gets shafted today.

Indeed, which is why I was always against cancel culture. It is slightly different when they are afraid of being cancelled by the state vs. just social pressure though.

I generally agree with you, but would contend that that the difference is far more than slight. 

In fact, the state should not be allowed to cancel people.

[Valmy]

I've got problems with people who express satisfaction in his demise.  Does that make me a right wing culture warrior?

Only if you demand they be fired from their jobs or hurt in some way in order to silence them.