On Monday, I will have an in-depth account of the circumstances leading up to the cancellation of Ann Coulter’s appearance at Fordham.
In the course of the investigation I have spoken to numerous students involved in the events, and one interesting fact has emerged which I did not want to get buried in the larger story:
The Fordham College Democrats as an organization did not object to Coulter’s appearance.
To the contrary, a representative of the College Democrats told the College Republicans that at a meeting of College Democrats prior to cancellation, someone appeared with an anti-Coulter petition seeking signatures, and not a single College Democrat in attendance would sign. Several College Democrats also expressed solidarity privately in communications with the College Republicans..
Not all College Republicans favored cancellation, so don’t be too quick to criticize the entire group. Wait for Monday when you see how this played out.
But it’s interesting that the Fordham College Democrats did not join the anti-Coulter effort.
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Comments
Easy to forget that not ALL Democrats are would-be autocrats because They Know Better whose voices should be allowed or suppressed. Bravo, Professor, for shining this light on it.
Duck and cover conservatives does not develop in a vacuum.
The Student Democrats knew that their (in)action would have no consequences, while the student Republicans feared what repercussions bucking McShane might bring.
“You end up like a dog that’s been beat too much
Till you spend half your life just covering up”
About a decade ago someone tried to explain to me how “out of it” Republicans were considered to be on campus, figuring their leftists had won the war. I explained it was clear the left had taken the “high ground”, but that my hope was placed in the revolutionary nature of youth, and that the next revolution would consist of conservatives standing up to “the man”.
In this case the man is the leftist teachers and college administrators, the “pigs” that use authority to silence free thought. These sixties “Hippies” are livin’ the blue haze dream, but wearin’ a faculty badge. Perhaps they attend the Marxist conferences, or this one on teaching as a subversive activity.
http://zombietime.com/teaching_as_a_subversive_activity/
I don’t know if tie die or acid trips or smoking dope on the quad will be part of the conservative revolution … I kinda think that ship sailed … and is sinking. Perhaps discipline and self reliance will reassert itself, and be considered radical. In any case, Republican leaders better learn not to fold like a cheap suit, at the first sign of resistance.
When the coming generation totals up all the bills they will have to pay watch for traditional bourgeoisie virtues to become the new sexy.
“Fold like a cheap suit” nails the GOP perfectly. So disheartening.
And why is was painful to watch Allen West concede. We need so many more like him if we are to rehabilitate this nation.
Thanks for keeping on top of the Fordham story, Professor.
The cynic would suggest that it was a calculated risk.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
— Sun Tzu
Recall their successful efforts to portray Republicans as extreme. Perhaps they are waiting for an opportunity to manifest itself. I hesitate to believe they are acting in good faith.
A corollary is that Republicans have grown timid.
Holy Smokes. This story gave me back a spark–just a glimmer–of hope for my country’s future.
Or perhaps the College Dems figured if they didn’t join the pile-on the College Reps would have to extend the same courtesy if/when the Dems invited some outrageous speaker?
on the other hand, ann is a least partially responsible for this whole mess by pushing the rino romney over more conservate candidates. I frankly question her motives after that and along with drudge, I put her on the iffy conservative list.
Ann should change her name to Annie Maureen Niamh Therese Siobhan O’Coulter
Then she should kidnap kill & terrorize & bomb & generally Do a mini Reign of Terror. Mini is ok because It could be just symbolic. Perhaps a few Ny & Boston burroughs would show the Prof Ian Weinstein her Ideology is pure if not Catholic.
Annie has to learn to appeal to a man’s heart. Prof Weinstein just loved him some defending of IRA terrorists in the 90s.
What -the wrong sort of Republicans you say ?
Haha We. IRA. Watchers have long memories . I should have given him his proper title Fordham Prof of Law. Then & now.
Dear RNC:
I don’t have a dime to spare,
Until you bastards grow a pair!
Signed,
A guy who’d vote Libertarian if they really had a chance.
This is a great touchstone for Freedom of Speech. Democrats can’t stand any view other than their own, so naturally they hate Ann. Conservatives understand that Ann has lost her mind and are no longer interested in anything she has to say.
Who will stand up for Ann’s right to speak? Only those who believe in the First Amendment without question.
Ann, I support your right to speak.
Meh. I am not impressed. The good cop / bad cop routine.
I think ‘the argument’ has fundamentally changed and Coulter is not a part of it anymore.
Maybe the conservatives among the College Republican’s at FC, recognizing Coulter as GWB in a black dress, took a principled position and said, “‘Fordham’ this noise.”
If so, I applaud them for it.