Rise of Fascism in the United States [SPLIT]

[KaraBulut]

...So right now, they are happy to support the genocide in Gaza, because they love the thuggish far right wing regime in Israel. In large part because of the Book of Revelations.

And it's arable land that is either on the Mediterranean or has access to River Jordan/Dead Sea. The Dead Sea (while it lasts) is a major tourist attraction and the water is a source of valuable minerals. The developers and mining companies can't wait.

Government has the right to control political speech if they're giving you money? I must have missed that lecture in American History... or was there a footnote in the Constitution that we didn't cover? Next, they'll be claiming that rich donors get to decide what is taught in American universities... oh, wait...

Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Bonta - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

College alumni are stepping up to defend free speech

When thinking of college alumni, one generally imagines boosters donning their alma mater’s signature colors and cheering proudly for their

www.goacta.org

 

[rareboy]

No question that major donors and government have intervened and interfered with academics for ever.

Certainly the 50's and 60's were ample proof of this in the US as McCarthy's red scare had professors and homosexuals being fired.

And in the 60's. it was those goddamned hippies and drug using agents of academic indoctrination that religious groups and right wingers tried to dispense with.

And back in the protestant reformation days or the days of the counter reformation...well...you all get the idea

Over centuries, the principle of academic independence from political oppressors and constraint on teaching has been the foundation of human advancement. The ability to fundamentally disagree and even speak out against abhorrent positions has been a hallmark of western liberal education. The notion of inculcating critical thinking.

Anyone who thinks that college and university students can be indoctrinated into belief obviously only has the American Baptist universities as their base of experience and I am not even totally confident that they don't eventually produce some fine, upstanding heretics and independent thinkers despite their efforts.

But only the uneducated...or to be blunt, those who were obviously poorly educated even at a post secondary level...who think that the Executive Branch or even Congress should have ideological control over what is taught in college and university...make it clear that their own education and ability for critical thinking is seriously deficient.

 

[johaninsc]

 

[rareboy]

^ Maybe the first good reason I've heard for the abolition of the DoE?

Abolish federal interference in the education of blue states who actually fund the shithole state education systems?

 

[rareboy]

 

[rareboy]

“This week, USAID officials removed the artwork [of the agency’s various global missions] from the walls of USAID offices because…[officials] would be evaluating what appeared on the walls to ensure it aligned with the new administration’s ‘America First’ mission.”

Or how to make the US the most despised country and Americans the most despised people in the countries you should be trying to develop and keep as allies.

 

[rareboy]

^ Maybe the first good reason I've heard for the abolition of the DoE?

Abolish federal interference in the education of blue states who actually fund the shithole state education systems?

Don't say we didn't warn y'all.

 

[KaraBulut]

No question that major donors and government have intervened and interfered with academics for ever...

Certainly the 50's and 60's were ample proof of this in the US as McCarthy's red scare had professors and homosexuals being fired...

But only the uneducated...or to be blunt, those who were obviously poorly educated even at a post secondary level...who think that the Executive Branch or even Congress should have ideological control over what is taught in college and university...make it clear that their own education and ability for critical thinking is seriously deficient.

I mentioned a while back the change in the Republican Party whose business lobby, once upon a time, wanted the best and brightest graduates from public schools.

The Chamber of Commerce crowd were particularly vocal about universities cranking out well-educated graduates who could continue to invent and innovate. Guys like Ross Perot and companies like IBM and Xerox were in competition to get those college grads.

Now, there's a movement in the Christian Nationalists to reinvent higher education because the research shows that college grads are more moderate or progressive on social issues like gay marriage, women's equality and are more likely to consider themselves independents or Democrats.

When I was attending universities, there was always a vigorous discussion between the conservatives and progressives over how government could best ensure that everyone got a fair deal at a decent living. These days, it's more about labeling universities as "liberal" and trying to eliminate tenure. Donor money is more likely to come with strings and it's no longer about turning out the best and brightest to join American firms. It's more and more about trying to change university graduates from being people who can identify bullshit and think independently, and instead will vote the way that a group of ultra-wealthy White Christian Nationalists believe they should vote.

We've seen this in Islamic countries recently where Saudi oil money influences who gets an education and how they're educated in the middle east. You're correct- it also happened in the 1950s when university professors were called "communists" and "perverts" in order to purge out anyone who didn't follow the conservative, Christian way of thinking.

 

[johaninsc]

 

[johaninsc]

 

[rareboy]

 

[cityboy-stl]

When do the swastikas start to appear.

 

[LilBit]

Jewish students at Columbia faced hostile environment during pro-Palestinian protests, report finds

A new report from Columbia University’s antisemitism task force describes a hostile climate for Jewish and Israeli students at the New York City institution during the last school year.

apnews.com

Antisemitism on College Campuses Exposed, Education and the Workforce Committee Releases Report

edworkforce.house.gov

BTW, just for the record, I never said that going to college makes a person better or worse than anyone else. I asked if you went to college because you have a long track record of having strong opinions about things you don't even remotely understand.

As for these reports, Virginia Foxx is about as reliable as a watch from a grocery store gumball machine, and some of the gripes are just silly. (Boo-hoo! They took away my Sabra!)

And for the record, I'm Jewish.

I also tend to distrust these stories because eight years ago, we had a rash of doxxings on my campus, many of which involved friends of mine. Some of the stories were grossly exaggerated, others were taken out of context, one was attributed to the wrong professor, and several were just plain lies. Several of these professors and their families were subjected to harassment and death threats because of these specious reports.

 

[KaraBulut]

....As for these reports, Virginia Foxx is about as reliable as a watch from a grocery store gumball machine, and some of the gripes are just silly. (Boo-hoo! They took away my Sabra!)

For context: 81 year old Rep Virginia Foxx [R-NC].

It's difficult to find picture of Rep Foxx where she's not wearing this same plaid jacket.

 

[Alistair]

^ the swastika looking earrings are a perfect fit for this thread.

 

[rareboy]

We are watching an actual coup d'etat by Elon Musk over the past 10 days.

His attempt to gain access to the social security payment system that resulted in the head of Treasury resigning is just another step in consolidating power for himself.

He is already calling most of the shots that are resulting in one catastrophe after another in the Trump regime so far.

At some point, I really do expect him to try to seize all the controls of executive power.


And, of course, the gutting of the FBI means that they can begin to craft their new Sicherheitsdienst.

 

[rareboy]

To the point of Trump trying to directly interfere with education.

 

[LilBit]

We are watching an actual coup d'etat by Elon Musk over the past 10 days.

His attempt to gain access to the social security payment system that resulted in the head of Treasury resigning is just another step in consolidating power for himself.

He is already calling most of the shots that are resulting in one catastrophe after another in the Trump regime so far.

At some point, I really do expect him to try to seize all the controls of executive power.


And, of course, the gutting of the FBI means that they can begin to craft their new Sicherheitsdienst.

Aren't the Republicans the ones who are constantly whining about unelected bureaucrats overstepping their bounds?

 

[ravenstone]

The left didn't care when Biden was forcing schools to implement his policies. Elections have consequences.

 

[KaraBulut]

The left didn't care when Biden was forcing schools to implement his policies. Elections have consequences.

Ah, the Federal government that funds about 20% of public education "forces" schools to follow certain rules to obtain the money?

Dis you?

Post in thread 'Rise of Fascism in the United States [SPLIT]'

Jan 31, 2025

Again, not the role of federal government.

And not relevant to the topic of the thread unless the Trump regime actually starts firing professors the way that other authoritarian regimes do.

The federal government gives a lot of money to colleges, so the Department of Education does have a say on college campuses. Colleges that keep anti-American or pro-terrorist professors could easily lose funds. Rich private schools could also be excluded from research funds or government-backed loans for students.

• ravenstone