NEW NEWS: Harvard Students Are "LIBERAL"!!!!

It SOUNDS as if Harvard were contemplating the inclusion of Republicans on their staff.
But we know that's never going to happen.

Perhaps a couple of  Republican students may be admitted; but that would be just cruel in a student body where they're outnumbered 20,000 to one.

Harvard Student Paper Calls Out University's Liberal Bias, Pushes for Ideological Diversity on Campus | Fox News Insider:

Harvard University's student newspaper criticized the school's liberal bias and called for greater ideological diversity on campus. In an editorial, The Crimson argued that the conversation surrounding diversity and inclusion at Harvard has been dominated by issues of race and gender. "While we should always strive for more conversation that focuses on addressing the unquestionably salient issues of racial and gender identity, approaches seeking to foster diversity, inclusion, and belonging at Harvard should be more comprehensive," the editorial board wrote.

In reference to Conservative Students, would they refer to them using the N-word?

Steven Crowder... not his best journalistic contribution to the Second Amendment!

Steven Crowder Challenges College Students To Change His Mind On Guns - Bearing Arms - college students, Gun Control, ill-informed voters, Steven Crowder:

 Steven Crowder is one of the more interesting personalities on YouTube, mostly because he’s funny while also providing some pretty smart commentary. He recently tried something new. He set up a table at Texas University and challenged students to change his mind. In the process, he challenges their points of view. Check it out:

"Pretty Smart Commentary"?

It's pretty smarmy commentary.

Even if I agree with Crowder, he hasn't provided any valid discussion of the Second Amendment. 

Challenging College Frosh on campus in front of a camera is apparently nothing more than a publicity stunt.   And I always thought Crowder was better than that.  But I was wrong.

I found the miniscule count of dialogues interesting, but one-sided.  I would have preferred to see what happened when the students who sat in his visitor chair were more than "Bobble-Heads".   But he didn't have the guts to publish any encounters where he had to actually WORK to defend the Second Amendment.   The most intelligent response from any of the few college-age adolescents he "interviewed" was HUH? 

Unfortunately, it's impossible to comment directly on the article without a FaceBook page.  Like that's going to happen!

Over-all?

Two Thumbs Down for obvious editing of responses to make the Host look good.

... and a Third Thumb Down (if I had one) for restricting comments to FaceBook. 

Crowder has done some decent journalism in that past (not much, but some). But this is nothing more than Ambush Journalism, and clue-less college frosh are his unsuspecting targets of choice.

"Smart Commentary"?   I call it "Smarmy Commentary", and that's being generous.

BOO!

"Empty Holster" protest vindicated!

South Alabama admits citing student for empty holster was a mistake:

The University of South Alabama offered an official apology Thursday to a student who was given a citation for “threatening the safety of campus” with an empty holster. 

We tried to tell you.

The funny thing is,
  GOOD teachers learn as much from their students as their students learn from them.

In this case .. perhaps more.

It's AMAZING what you can learn, when you only stop to listen.

Perhaps it's not too late for these children to learn, too.  Has anyone tried to talk to them?

Or to their "educators"?

No,  Probably not.

Academia and "Gun Rights" .... not happening!

Prof Who Won't Recommend a Pro-Gun Student Is Everything That's Wrong with Academia - Hit & Run : Reason.com:

A professor recently wrote a candid essay in which she confessed a secret: she didn't want to write a letter of recommendation for a student, solely because this student has different views (presumably) about gun rights.

Apparently, this professor has chosen to judge her student solely by the "content of her character" .. and found her lacking.  Because her student has a political value which differs from hers.

The professor wrote:

She seems to be a good kid, Sarah. And I don’t know what she really thinks of gun advocacy and political failures that have cost us all these lives and our sense of safety as educators. I don’t know what she does on the weekends. I also don’t know if she understands emotions, or what real rage feels like. It seems to me no person who has truly experienced the full impact of their own emotions would ever go near a gun. 

Perhaps the "content of her character" is the reigning factor here.  The Professor seems to wonder about the character of The Student ... and she confesses that her refusal to recommend a student is dependent on that "character" rather than the academic work the student has done.

That is not the job of a professor.  In Academia, the priority when recommending a student is the quality of her work; political (and even 'moral') issues should be transparent when judging the value of the student.

This professor has obviously been caught up in the politics of Academia, and she has forgotten her role as an instructor; which is ... to teach.

Not to teach her personal political/sociological priorities, but to teach her students how to THINK.

A competent teacher would find satisfaction in the success of a student who disagrees with her.

As it is, this professor seems incapable of separating her professional judgement from political correctness, or to focus on academic achievement of her student.  It doesn't matter if "Sarah" seems to be "a good kid".  It only matters if "Sarah" has met or exceed academic standards.
(Unfortunately, we don't have that information; we only have the demonstration of angst from the professor, who seems to have forgotten her role in a teaching environment.)

If this university professional had been able to do her job, she would not find herself in such a moral quandary, which she clearly defines when she says:.

So what do I do? Do I write her a recommendation because I originally said yes? Do I say no and explain myself? Do I ignore her email? 

No.  What you do is to write a sterling recommendation, and then quit your day job.  When you find yourself in a moral quandary, it's a clear sign that you are less competent than Sarah is.

I'm very disappointed in you.

(All of this professorial Angst is just pissing me off!)

Student busted for "Packin' Leather"

It's that time of the year again.  Spring, when a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of protesting abrogation of his constitutional rights.

Alabama college student cited for wearing empty gun holster on campus | Fox News:

 A University of South Alabama student was charged with violating the school’s code of conduct after campus police caught him on campus wearing an empty gun holster, in an incident recorded on video.

After realizing that the student was not carrying a firearm, charges were dismissed.
That's not good enough.

The student didn't need being referred to as "being a smart-ass" by investigating police.

"We're gonna check you out.  You don't want to be investigated?  You don't want to be checked out?  Don't do this kind of stuff."

See "Students for Concealed Carry"

Toto, we ain't in Kansas any more!

Kansas is considering 'allowing' students, staff and faculty to exercise their constitutional rights on campus.  And the Administration of the Kansas University System are squirming.

Next summer, in addition to textbooks, laptops and double-strength coffee, Kansas college students will be able to bring something else to class: guns.
Actually, it's not the fear of 'campus violence' which generates this whitey-tighty moment:

Mike Williams, president of the University of Kansas Faculty Senate, says his colleagues are less worried about the possibility of an active shooter and more about accidents and simple disagreements escalating between armed students. 

They're not REALLY citing concerns of an inter-student conflict eruption on the campus:

It's not that a Lover's Quarrel on the Quad might erupt into a firefight, or worry that the campus drug-dealers may start "packing" to defend their 'turf, or even the possibility that there might be an "Accidental Discharge" in the school cafeteria which concerns the university leadership.

No, it's the fear of faculty members that their locked-and-loaded students might take exception to a low grade or a snide comment from their professor during a class-room discussion which soils their BVDs.

A THOUGHTFUL DEBATE:
Oh, to be sure the article addresses the mythical aphorism that "... fear of violence could discourage civil discourse, with students afraid to speak their minds "because of their worry that someone might react with armed violence instead of thoughtful debate." x

That's right.  The faculty has expressed little or no worries about a Gunfight at the OK Corral; they just don't want to get SHOT because they gave a student a lower grade than expected, or because the students feel as if they are being disrespected by the Professorial Ubermenchen.
(As if THAT ever happens in a University Environment!)

Can't blame them for feeling that way, except that:
 (a) folks who want to shoot them will do so whether or not they have a CHL, and
 (b) if "folks who want to shoot them" are in their class, the faculty and staff will be safer with a CHL licensed person in their class, and
 (c) they always have the option to get their own CHL.  But then ... who knows if they are qualified?
 (We do.)  
 (d) and after all, aren't gun-carriers dangerous people?  Why would they want to carry a gun on campus if they didn't want to shoot people?
(Statics show that CHL people are less likely to  commit violent crimes than 'others': see this Texas report of CHL crime statistics.)

Most University websites include the phrase "... our priority is to provide a quality learning environment for our students ..." (or words to that effect).

But really, it's all about the faculty.  And tenure.

Still, fear exists, even if the fearful have "options":

Fear and Loathing on .. college campus?

COMMENTARY: NRA stifling academic freedom:

The gun lobby has seized on this environment of academic stifling, promoting firearms as the answer to an array of problems on campuses and beyond. Don’t want to get raped? Carry a gun, or it’s your own fault. The best way to prevent an active-shooter situation? Everyone pack heat.

Apparently, the "people" on college campus in South Jersey are not only outraged, but actively revolted by the proposition that students, staff and faculty are now legally 'permitted' to exercise their Second Amendment rights on the grounds of the college campus.

Oh, bad.
Not only bad, but WAY bad!

That conservative forces have long sought to squash dissent and curtail rigorous academic debate on campuses is far from a secret. From the militarization of many campuses, academic repression of faculty, excessive and difficult-to-navigate bureaucracies, limitations on free speech and more, college students, staff and faculty members today face many challenges as they seek to explore, debate and take action on critical and difficult issues.

Huh?  What the HEY??
College instructors, teachers, professors and other academicians no longer feel safe when they are brainwashing  drilling instructing teaching their students in the Next Generation of Progressiveness?  Oh, that's just SO bad!

Texas passed a campus-carry law that is set to take effect on Aug. 1. Already, professors at the University of Houston were told that once the new law is effective, they might want to “be careful discussing sensitive topics,” “drop certain topics from your curriculum,” “ ‘Not go there’ if you sense anger,” “limit students’ access off hours,” “go to appointment-only office hours” and “only meet ‘that student’ in controlled circumstances.”

Oh.  Okay, I get it.

Since students, staff and faculty are now allowed to carry guns on campus, the faculty (the staunch conservators of "Liberal Thought" (and no other) are worried that if they preach a gospel which is not kindly received by their drones students,  said students might respond by shooting their professors!

(Yeah, right.  Like THAT is going to happen! Ammunition is expensive, y'know?  Hammers are cheaper.)

And they (the staff and faculty on South Jersey campuses) are worried that "conservative forces" might "squash dissent and curtail rigorous debate on campuses"?


And "they" (supposedly, the students) might register their dissent by shooting their erudite/liberal/progressive professors?

[Well, I guess that getting SHOT might occasionally have an adverse effect on Progressive brainwashing instruction. But in reality, Progressives are so head-in-the-clouds  clueless, chances are that they would not even notice their colleagues being murdered in the next room.  They are THAT distanced from reality .... and the level of true "intellectual thought" can, as a consequence, go no-where but UP!]

And this is "A Bad Thing"?

Or is this just another version of "... rigorous academic debate ...."?

Kitchen/Heat/Exit strategy?

Frankly, I fail to perceive the problem.

Okay, okay;  it may result in a slight winnowing of the faculty, but still;

 where's the Down Side?

Up In Arms

PART 01:
The question is whether a Methodist college should sponsor a "shooting program".  The Alumni are "up in arms" because they believe that a religious institutions should not promote any activity which involves guns.

(H/T: The Gun Feed)

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- A decision to boost a growing program has caused outrage from alumni at Simpson College.Opponents say it not only promotes guns on campus but it’s against the same religious beliefs that the college was founded on. 

While it's not clear what kind of 'shooting sports program' is involved, it seems reasonable to assume that this is a .22 caliber rifle/smallbore/bullseye target competition activity.

In a word, it's similar to throwing darts in a pub.

Oh, wait; that would also be contrary to religious priorities.

PART 02:

Dozens of people gathered at the University of Kansas on Monday to rally against a state law that will allow concealed weapons to be carried on college campuses next year.

"It's clear that the students don't want guns on campus, the faculty don't want guns on campus, the parents of students don't want guns on campus and the we feel the majority of Kansas doesn't want this either," says Meagen Youngdahl with the Kansas Coalition for a Gun-Free Campus.

Oh.  That's okay, then.  If students, faculty, parents AND "Kansas" are all agreed that they don't want guns on campus, the solution is simple, and obvious:

Don't bring a gun on campus.

See how easy that was?

Now, if you can only convince that wild-eyed 18-year-old maniac with a stolen gun that he shouldn't shoot up your campus, there should no problem.

(PS:  You might consider sending an email to ISIS ... you know, those guys with that 'other' religious view ... telling them that they can not bring guns on campus, either.  That should solve THAT problem.)

"The Inquisition Is Strong, Here"

She took them at their word, assumed "Liberal" meant that the college was willing to accept "liberal" view points.

And now they threaten her with either revocation of her tenure, or with a coldly dismissive of removal from her academic position.

Why do I distrust Liberals?
Because they lie.

A professor at a Chicago-area Christian college said Wednesday that administrators were wrong in taking steps to fire her after she asserted that Christians and Muslims worship the same God.
Larycia Hawkins told reporters she met with Wheaton College administrators several times and provided statements explaining her beliefs, which she believes are line up with the college's mission. She said she was initially told further discussion wasn't needed but college officials then changed requirements, saying her tenure would be revoked while she would have to participate in two years of conversations.

Why would this even be an issue at a "Liberal Arts" College?

Wheaton College - Google Search: Wheaton College  Liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois Wheaton College is a private American four-year Evangelical Protestant Christian liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb 25 miles west of Chicago. The college was founded by abolitionists in 1860. Wikipedia

Oh.  I see it now.  "Evangelical Protestant Christian" and "Liberal Arts" are terms challenged by this situation, and the whole "LIBERAL" thing loses.

Big time.

Me?  I'm a Conservative ... and judging by the implied definition of the word "LIBERAL", there's not a Liberal bone in my body.
Still .....

Don’t Turn Our Tragedy Into Hate

UC Merced mourns stabbing spree attacker Faisal Mohammad, seeks to understand him - The College Fix:
{NOVEMBER 18, 2015}

‘People were quick to sympathize with the attacker,’ student says Many at the University of California-Merced are mourning the 18-year-old student who went on a vicious stabbing spree before being shot and killed by a campus police officer, with a “R.I.P” tribute to Faisal Mohammad on Facebook gaining massive support among the campus community.

(H/T: Irons)

Lambs To The Slaughter?  Or Innocents?  Who knows why young people decide to "sympathize" with someone who viciously assaulted their fellow students?  The article doesn't say whether any of those who were stabbed felt any sympathy for their attacker.

"Rest In Peace"?

How is Faisal Mohammad important to us?

How about stabbing people on a college campus.  Does that count?

"A Male UC Merced student stabbed four people with a large hunting knife on the campus Wednesday morning before he was shot and killed by university police, authorities said."

While I have great respect for those who wish to forgive the individual who terrorized their campus, I still believe that the way we live must be measured against the way we would wish to live.

My wish is that people on college campii would please stop their maniacal, murderous ways and treat their fellow man the way we would each prefer to be treated.

Which includes not being stabbed on our way to our next class.
That's got to really hurt, in addition to messing up your classroom attendance record!

Moral Equivalency:

When we publicly "forgive" a wanna-be murderer, we accept that his actions (regardless of his reasons) are "acceptable".  Or, at least, "understandable".