We have been discussing the call for blacklists and the campaign of harassment against Trump supporters, lawyers, and officials after the election. Now Harvard students are asking for the university to establish a preemptive bar on former Trump officials and consultants from entering the campus until they are reviewed and vetted. Rather than see universities as an opportunity for dialogue and understanding of our deep divisions, the students seem to be following the lead of Democratic leaders like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) who are calling for lists of anyone “complicit” with the Trump Administration. The students demand that any Trump officials be barred pending a review of their record to “hold them fully accountable for that complicity.”
Harvard University students wrote a letter addressed to Harvard president Lawrence Bacow and other leadership calling for the action against Trump consultants and officials. It acknowledges the potential impact on free speech but declares:
We acknowledge this situation is nuanced as many appointees and career officials chose to join this administration to pursue the public good in spite of these norm violations. Others might claim to have upheld these norms from within. We are simply asking the school to create and share with students transparent guidelines of accountability that ensure its full commitment to the principles American democracy is built upon.
We remain fully committed to free speech and debate of difficult subjects — especially the damage being done to democratic governance around the world. We do not believe, however, that individuals who engage in this behavior should be legitimized or rewarded by the university. An institution dedicated to the fostering of good democratic government should remain apart from those who were willing to bring it down for their own benefit.
Notably, Harvard regularly hears from academics, including former foreign government officials, from some of the most repressive nations on Earth. I support such engagement because it allows for a full and robust discussion of core issues and policies. Yet, the students are demanding a special rule for Trump officials.
The controversy reminds me of the New York Times denouncing the publication of a column from Sen. Tom Cotton while publishing the views of dictators and their surrogates. The New York Times on published an opinion column by Regina Ip, the Hong Kong official widely denounced as “Beijing’s enforcer.” Ip declared “Hong Kong is part of China” and dismissed the protesters fighting for freedom in their city. I had no objection to the publishing of the column. Ip is a major figure in Hong Kong and, despite her support for authoritarian rule and crushing dissent, there is a value to having such views as part of the public debate. Rather, my concern is that the New York Times was denounced by many of us for its cringing apology after publishing a column by Sen. Cotton and promising not to publish future such columns. Ip recently mocked the protests as every pro-democracy legislator left the Hong Kong legislature.
The point is not to call for blocking a wider array of views but embracing the value of having the free exchange of all views. Trump officials were supported by roughly half of this country. The last election resulted in the Republicans picking up seats in the House and likely holding the election. Indeed, President-elect Joe Biden carried a series of states with a narrow margin. Yet, the students want any Trump consultant or official to face an immediate, preemptive hold depending review of their background.
What is most disturbing is that some faculty support this effort. The letter disregards the many fellow citizens — and presumably students — who supported the Trump Administration. While professors have systemically reduced conservatives and libertarians on top faculties to a small minority, they continue to maintain that they are not showing the same bias against conservative or libertarian students. Yet, these letters isolate not just Trump officials, but Trump supporters who are part of the Harvard community.
There is an alternative: free speech. Our universities can play a key role in healing this country rather than fostering further divisions. We can use our schools to allow for both sides to meet and ideally to better understand each other. We can continue to disagree while gathering around a common faith in free speech as a shared value. Instead of holding people “accountable for their complicity,” we can hold ourselves to a higher burden of mutual respect and civility.
Not like the leftists were ever challenged, when they started taking over the nation’s public school system……way back in the 1960s.
They will regret this. It is gonna be Biblical. Stupid is as stupid does. Such stupidity is never an accident. See this for what it is, rare, but obvious… Election Fraud!
Harvard students:
Why should you apply a different ICC-equivalent standard to Trump officials than to Obama and Bush officials?
Your degree is worth as much as your faculty’s WTC7 explanation. You value your word? You value free, responsible and courageous speech?
https://www.ae911truth.org/news/218-news-media-events-college-outreach
“Thanks to a grant from a generous AE911Truth donor, every architecture and engineering professor at Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Yale University, and the University of Virginia received a packet that included a personal cover letter from AE911Truth founder Richard Gage, an introductory article about AE911Truth, an article quoting structural engineers who make the case for controlled demolition, a DVD of the documentary 9/11 Explosive Evidence: Experts Speak Out, and a CD filled with other pertinent videos and peer-reviewed papers by 9/11 Truth Movement scholars.”
“Only one of the universities — Cornell — allowed AE911Truth to publish its brochure in the campus paper, The Cornell Daily Sun.”
“Initially, staff at The Harvard Crimson also agreed to run the inserts. They signed a contract with AE911Truth, which then created a brochure with the words “Paid Advertisement” printed on it to meet Crimson advertising guidelines. After the ad was approved by the Crimson, manufactured, and mailed to the newspaper’s offices for publication, the university reversed its position and broke the contract.”
Suppression of information about 9/11 was a well worn path near 20 years ago. “Conspiracy theories” they were called
“misinformation” it is called today. Today, everything that subverts the interests of our current plutocracy is “misinformation”
This is OK. Let the mask drop. Strip away the facade and we can see there is only what there has always been: naked power
We will be able to continue the struggle even better when the mask drops. We welcome it
Saloth Sar
“We’ll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false.”
– William Casey, CIA Director 1981-1987
JFK wanted to “splinter the CIA into a thousand pieces and scatter it into the winds”. Instead, they blew his brain apart. Are we foolish to imagine cause and effect?
What’s the point of this weird non sequitur?
Your comment is indeed a “weird non sequitur” and about as relevant to free speech, equal treatment for Bush-Obama-Trump officials and the search for truth at Harvard as the contribution from Retard and Wacko, ArtDecox3. Why the cognitive dissonance campaigning this morning?
Clear as mud.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypb-4V77N7g If there are any intelligent students out there…….watch this then tell me you are not part of the problem……
She, whoever the hell she is, is not a reliable source. The great Chris Hedges covered the war in Yugoslavia! AOC, et al are not advocating the Soviet style socialism, but, rather a European style Social Democratic Party… as in Sweden.
A shame that universities, once hallowed ground, are no more than hotbeds of activism for the Left. And with it, their institutional reputations have been sullied to the level of cheap partisan politics. But just don’t go preaching to the rest of us now. Your pose has been thoroughly exposed.
when the moment for re-education of worthless bureaucratic parasites comes, the apparatchiks will learn to dig irrigation ditches and support agricultural production. this will be their future use to society. or not.
Saloth Sar
As a lawyer, I must say that I would prefer to dig irrigation ditches if the pay were the same. But I don’t think it will be.
Blog moderators will recognize that the following is provided as satire to foster discussion on important issues relating to the role of the government and the media, the rule of law, and free speech.
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PARTY BANS MANUFACTURE, DISTRIBUTION AND POSSESSION OF TURKEYS WEIGHING MORE THAN NINE POUNDS
-Measure combats the spread of COVID-19 at large gatherings
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WASHINGTON, DC – The Party today announced an emergency ban on the manufacture, distribution and possession of holiday turkeys weighing more than nine pounds, effective immediately. The common-sense new measure is required to combat the spread of COVID-19 during the upcoming holidays.
“Large turkeys encourage gatherings of family and friends. These groups are known to congregate in private homes to engage in conversation, laughter, and religious observances such as the saying of grace. Activities like these pose a grave threat to our collective safety,” said Party spokesperson Gretchen Whitmer.
“Instead, we encourage Americans of all genders to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday alone in a dark room streaming the Lions game on their iPhone,” Whitmer added.
The Party also announced a limited amnesty for consumers already in possession of turkeys weighing more than the proscribed limit. To take advantage of the amnesty, consumers must deliver their partially defrosted turkey to a local Party official no later than Wednesday, November 25. Consumers who also provide a reheatable side dish and a dessert will be eligible to receive points under the Party’s forthcoming social credit program. The credits may be used to earn privileges such as interstate travel.
Recognizing the Party’s commitment to core first amendment values, the new rules include an exemption for turkeys consumed at Party-sanctioned protests, provided that Party-aligned media stakeholders certify the protests as mostly peaceful. The exemption also applies to homeless encampments.
Consumers are cautioned that the possession of multiple smaller turkeys weighing more than nine pounds in total or more than eight ounces of cranberry sauce is also prohibited.
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Immediate implementation of these guidelines is authorized under previously approved directives adopted in response to the COVID-19 emergency. Further information on these guidelines will be communicated as circumstances dictate.
Does Harvard Yard still have a great cast iron gate?
David, Good question and I don’t know the answer to it. Among other trivia I know that in the early days wampum was sometimes used to pay tuition. The home of the parents [or grandparents?] of the founder of the university is in Stratford-on-Avon and can still be seen. Stacy Schiff has written a good history of the Salem witch hunts “The Witches” and beginning on the first page of her account [page 3] she says “Erudition plays a greater role in the story than ignorance.” By the time I got to her book I already knew that but it was satisfying to see it expressed so prettily. Much of that “erudition” came from Harvard and, I am sorry to say, much also came from the settled law of the time. It appears that substantial education is needed to scale the upper reaches of delusion. Harvard may be weakening on education but it has lost nothing of delusion.
1n 1692 Harvard men were among the principal instigators of the infamous Salem witch hunts.
Looks like the institution is returning to its roots.
IIRC, the witch hunts lasted about nine months and the perpetrators later covered themselves with sackcloth and ashes.
Note the perpetrators of a menu of child sexual abuse hoaxes during the period running from about 1984 to about 1992 haven’t done the sackcloth and ashes bit (though I think there were some staff prosecutors assigned to the McMartin disaster who resigned while it was underway). Guess what? Scott Harshberger of Fells Acres fame has degrees from Harvard College and Harvard Law School.
Art “the witch hunts lasted about nine months and the perpetrators later covered themselves with sackcloth and ashes.”
***
Not all. Some of the most egregious defended their acts until the end of breath. I think there was more regret among jurors [they signed an ashamed declaration that they were relying on the judgment of their betters–they were] and Ann Putnam, the girl who famously accused Rebecca Nurse (among others) stood in church while the pastor read her declaration that she deserved to be cast down in the dust and that her accusations, particularly against Nurse were wrong. [I have visited her lonely, unmarked grave]. But among the officers and judges I recall that only one who publicly regretted his acts.
What’s grossly amusing about this is that Trump promoted and/or implemented some fairly modest policy adjustments: stricter enforcement of the immigration laws, a more contentious stance in trade negotiations, a more circumspect and Kissingerian approach to foreign relations, unloading some worthless international agreements favored by the previous administration, removing some impediments placed by the previous administration on extractive industries. promoting due process in disciplinary actions against college students, &c. He also signed on to some extant Republican projects: repealing a structurally unsound insurance scheme that had been on the books for just seven years, noodling around with marginal tax rates, and appointing originalists to the federal judiciary.
In any ordinary parliamentary system, policy swings a tad one way and then a tad another way. These emotionally disordered college students are enraged that someone else had a turn at the wheel and that for a few years, people like them didn’t get their way. Or maybe they actually fancy the hooey promoted by John Brennan, Adam Schiff, Christine Blasey Fraud, and Col. Vindman is true.
Harvard is supposedly exceedingly selective with its applicants. Heckuva job, admissions office.
Of course, if an Administration incinerates whole nations and entire regions the way Clinton- Bush- Obama did in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen, and the Balkans, they become Sainted Figures among the great and the good at prestigious US universities. Back in the day students directed their ire at architects of genocidal wars. No more. Not that Drump himself was some humanitarian figure. But- to put it crudely- his body counts are dwarfed by his predecessors.
What a degenerate OverLord Predator Class presides in the US.
Yes Saras and we will either purge them or they will purge us. It all comes down to that. War against the American billiionaires, 705 of them, who call all the shots.
They say Trump is not really a billionaire after all. And I would let Elon Musk get a pass since he is a real industrialist making useful things.
The rest need, “reeducation,” after they are arrested, expropriated, and tried for crimes against the American people.
I know my Republican friends feel uneasy when I say, the workers and middle class must unite against these globalist financial parasites.
It sounds so “commie” like. And yet: is there any other way?
We can see how effective “voting” has been so far.
–Saloth Sar
Of course, if an Administration incinerates whole nations and entire regions the way Clinton- Bush- Obama did in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen,
They didn’t. You need to get a grip.
Art, that first paragraph was exceptionally well done.
What is wrong with university administrators across the country? They are letting the morons run the insane asylum. Students choose to pay for something, if they don’t like the facilities and how they are run, fine, leave, go home to mommy’s basement. Does any thinking adult really care what these wet behind the ears, pablum sucking, bed wetting little pukes thinks? If so, they are just as FUBARed as the empty headed so called students.
Liked your article on Harvard barring Trump officials. These Bolshevik tyrants cannot have their unworkable nightmare world view challenged…
Here is a book you might enjoy – The Failure of Harvard
https://www.amazon.com/Failure-Harvard-Harvards-Intellectual-Ideological-ebook/dp/B08C6DHC6R/
The book intellectually and hysterically kicks the living $#!t out of Harvard and all of far left academia, if you would like me to shoot you an electronic copy, shoot me an email.
Ah yeah, wait till the gates are really opened up on Harvard, Bernie style. Think they might have second thoughts.
This takes me back a few years. Coming out of Paul Volckers Marauding Economy and being a General Contractor, I had numerous projects to start and many employees to hire. Just so happened, that two cousins (both born in the same year) showed up looking for employment. Neither had any experience in construction, but in need of hands I hired both. One had a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from Northwestern and the other had a high school education. Both were physically fit and capable to perform any task assigned. Taking these two hire on I assumed responsibility to judge their capabilities rather than assign that to one of my superintendents. I assigned one to the most experienced carpenter and the other to the next most experienced carpenter on the same crew. Both had reasonable skills but one had more desire to learn and was willing to listen to instruction. The other had a hard time following instructions assuming he knew more and would proceed on his own course. The latter made more errors and costly mistakes. After numerous attempts to inform him that he needed to listen to the experienced foreman I had to fire him after two months. The one who I retained went on to form a General Contracting Company with much success after a short four years and is now grossing over Ten Million dollars in sales annually and hired his cousin to run the administration staff because he had that degree. Why did one succeed and the other not so much, one was humble and was willing to listen, the other arrogantly thought he knew more and had no desire to listen.