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#1

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Valmy - Today at 04:42:40 PM

Seizing control of a building is not really a "peaceful" protest. Having said that the small army of cops being sent in in many of these situations strikes me as bad optics.

#2

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Savonarola - Today at 04:20:16 PM

I haven't been following these protests at all, but was it really that impossible to just let them sit there and get bored? Were they preventing access to buildings?

The protestors had barricaded themselves into the building and weren't letting anyone in (or, at least for a time, out; a custodian was trapped in there for a few hours.)  I assume the university didn't want to risk further damage to the building or liability.

#3

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by The Minsky Moment - Today at 04:18:09 PM

Only Trump can stand up to the Bolshevik.

Can't fight a Bolshevik with a Bullshitvik.

#4

Off the Record / Re: 2024 US Presidential Elect...

Last post by Jacob - Today at 04:16:02 PM

That sounds like a reasonable hypothesis.

#5

Off the Record / Re: 2024 US Presidential Elect...

Last post by grumbler - Today at 03:28:37 PM

Michael Sandel on How to fight populism

I think that he makes a pretty compelling case for what causes populism (a shift to demeaning those without college degrees) and its solution (reinforcing policies and values that recognize the dignity of labor).  He borrows MLK Jr's analogy that garbage collectors prevent more diseases than doctors and should be recognized for their efforts.  Not with money, but with respect and acknowledgement.

#6

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Jacob - Today at 03:21:11 PM

Yeah, if those patriots show up in Ukraine - and soon - that'd be grand.

#7

Off the Record / Re: 2024 US Presidential Elect...

Last post by Valmy - Today at 03:13:33 PM

Yeah I am tired of hearing about Trump. I wish he would just go away.

But then I felt that way around 1988 or so.

#8

Off the Record / Re: 2024 US Presidential Elect...

Last post by grumbler - Today at 03:11:09 PM

My sense is that it's, once again, the media focusing on something stupid rather than something important.

Agreed.  The only utility to such reports would be to show the impact of age on Trump, but that's not the message.  The media fixation on reporting every last detail about Trump is what got him elected in 2016 and nearly elected in 2020.

#9

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by grumbler - Today at 03:07:09 PM

Only Trump can stand up to the Bolshevik.

We must not allow a mineshaft gap!

#10

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by celedhring - Today at 02:26:40 PM

I think it's obvious the aim of the protesters is not to influence Israel's foreign policy, but rather the US'. And that's a far more realistic expectation.

But is it their aim?  And even if it is, is that aim that realistic?

Like I said I can see how university protests might try to modify university policies ala BDS - but I'm not so sure how it would influence Joe Biden in the White House.

Well, it's an election year. The whole "uncommitted" movement did seemingly have an effect, so I can see how this also might. Chaos makes the incumbent look bad.