- GWRising
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Re: Sign The Letter!
Mike K wrote:
Mike K, we can find fault with the Biden Administration's handling of antisemitism while at the same time, condemn the current administration's blatant overreach. Even if Trump's agenda was nothing more than fighting back against antisemitism, and I am far from convinced that this is the case, the actions he is taking or threatening to take are egregious to say the least. I am Jewish and of course I abhor antisemitism. That said, the price of millions of Americans losing their jobs, or of a substantial amount of vital medical research coming to a halt, just isn't worth this fight to me. I would urge you to read Mara Riegel's excellent April 21 column in the GW Hatchet entitled "Perspective: Trump Exploits Antisemitism To Repress Student Speech." I suspect many Jews, like Mara and myself, are opposed to being help up like pawns to advance this fight. Especially from the guy who was sure there were fine people on both sides in Charlottesville.
GWRising, your reaction says to me that that you equate "free speech" with "any or all speech", and this simply isn't true. Hate speech must be differentiated from free speech. Verbal and physical harassment must be differentiated from free speech. Breaking laws must be differentiated from free speech. One can not walk into a crowded movie theatre and scream "fire" where there is none. That's breaking the law, not free speech.
you wrote ... "substantial amount of vital medical research coming to a halt, just isn't worth this fight to me." Isn't worth the fight???? You sound like a 1931 era Jewish Berliner who had their head in the sand and didn't want to fight the anti Semitism that was exploding, as it is now in 2025 America, OK, sounds like your stance is: Research money is needed to cure disease, and it is more important than stopping the exploding, rising and worsening harassment and intimidation of students NATIONWIDE, in this case Jewish students.
And regarding the Mara Reigel article in the GW Hatchet, I can only shake my head - A FELLOW Jew using Jewish victimhood to take down a political opponent who is trying to help fellow Jews.
History sure is repeating itself, as I learned in virtually all of my Poly Sci and International Affairs classes.
I think what we are seeing is that the strong hatred of Trump has blinded the Left to many of the things they used to support and hold dear. I don't expect them to agree with most of his economic policies or tax policies. I don't even agree with all of them. But this blind hatred of anything that he does or proposes is so over the top. I swear some days if Trump said don't drink your piss because it's bad for you, liberals would be lining up outside of restrooms with specimen jars lol.
- Joel Joseph
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Re: Sign The Letter!
Since our basketball team has sucked and took a dump almost a decade ago, I understand some would like to switch topics and talk about anything else here. Not smart.
My personal beliefs are in line with Naismith (please God, I hope you aren't just another alias for the dude!).
We should just stick to whether or not we belong in the A-10 or the Patriot League, if they would have us.
Keep Raising High fellow Colonials!
- GWRising
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Re: Sign The Letter!
If this was all really about Anti-Semetism, then why does the demand letter to Harvard require the discontinuation of DEI programs, "Merit Based" hiring and admission reforms, and viewpoint diversity? Please let me what that has to do with Anti-Semetism. Are you saying the unqualified minorities Harvard is supposedly hiring or admitting are all anti-Semites? Or, could it be that the claims of Anti-Semetism are just the front to attack DEI policies, which the administration has done across the board.
I suggest you read the opinions of SCOTUS in the Harvard admissions case. I do think the Administration is also addressing those areas but the impetus now is the anti-semitism.
- Gwmayhem
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Re: Sign The Letter!
Mike K, a political opponent who is trying to help Jews? You mean Kanye's good friend? The one who referred to blatant antisemites as fine people? Yes, I get why you don't get it.
Rising, I'll actually agree that many have "blind hatred" of Trump, but I'll stop well short of referring to this as over the top. In the pre-Trump era, we of course had our political differences as Americans. But then Trump came along and just under half of the country's voters put their trust in someone who could not possibly be less trustworthy. The man spends every day as a lying, abusive racist and misogynist. He has single-handedly turned up the vitriol and utter disrespect in this country. He has attempted to normalize violence, cheating, and flat-out rudeness, as long as these things are being carried out to serve his own self-interests.
What you should understand is that the blind hatred that does exist has little if anything to do with his policies. It has everything to do with the horrific human being that this country saw fit to elect. This is not a case of liberals having a tough time with Reagan/Bush policies or conservatives failing to grasp Obama's views. We are well past this. This is indeed personal, and our President is the one who made it this way through his vile words and actions.
- •
Thread Starter- Mike K
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Re: Sign The Letter!
Since our basketball team has sucked and took a dump almost a decade ago, I understand some would like to switch topics and talk about anything else here. Not smart.
My personal beliefs are in line with Naismith (please God, I hope you aren't just another alias for the dude!).
We should just stick to whether or not we belong in the A-10 or the Patriot League, if they would have us.
Keep Raising High fellow Colonials!
In all seriousness, this is a very good post at this time. Thanks
Now, where is that forward we so desperately need?
- GWRising
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Re: Sign The Letter!
Mike K, a political opponent who is trying to help Jews? You mean Kanye's good friend? The one who referred to blatant antisemites as fine people? Yes, I get why you don't get it.
Rising, I'll actually agree that many have "blind hatred" of Trump, but I'll stop well short of referring to this as over the top. In the pre-Trump era, we of course had our political differences as Americans. But then Trump came along and just under half of the country's voters put their trust in someone who could not possibly be less trustworthy. The man spends every day as a lying, abusive racist and misogynist. He has single-handedly turned up the vitriol and utter disrespect in this country. He has attempted to normalize violence, cheating, and flat-out rudeness, as long as these things are being carried out to serve his own self-interests.
What you should understand is that the blind hatred that does exist has little if anything to do with his policies. It has everything to do with the horrific human being that this country saw fit to elect. This is not a case of liberals having a tough time with Reagan/Bush policies or conservatives failing to grasp Obama's views. We are well past this. This is indeed personal, and our President is the one who made it this way through his vile words and actions.
But yet he won the election with full knowledge of who he is and how he behaves.. What does that tell you about how the other side is doing despite having most of the media, the academic establishment and a candidate without any of those personal qualities? It ought to tell you that a majority of people decided enough is enough and even though Trump has plenty of issues we'd rather have the asshole we know than the bs promises and "joy" that will soon turn to "chaos" or "despair". As I mentioned before, I know life long Democrats who wouldn't have been caught dead voting for Mitt Romney or George W. Bush who pulled the lever for Trump. In fact, I could introduce you to several people who voted Obama-Obama-Clinton-Biden-Trump or alternatively Obama-Obama-Trump-Biden-Trump. Go figure.
So you are welcome to constantly remind us about all of the personal failings he has and that you think he is a bad guy. Fine, won't even argue that. But if you think reflexive objection to everything Trump proposes or takes action on, even things that you would have supported if they were put forth by a Reagan or a Bush, because Trump is a 'bad guy" is a winning strategy, have at it. You are likely to learn that November 2024 was just the beginning of the permanent recession of the Left in this Country.
- GW Alum Abroad
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Re: Sign The Letter!
Letter signed. GW was chartered by an act of Congress not an executive decree, so staying independent of the Executive Branch should be something all the GW Community desires, no matter who the President is.
Besides, the only sitting presidents to attend GW games at the Smith Center have been democrats, and really that should be the baseline metric in this debate!