College Insurrection Tag

As Professor Jacobson details in his companion post, the Matthew Shepard narrative of anti-gay hatred culminating in murder may not be what it seems. Research detailed in The Book of Matt by Stephen Jimenez casts doubt on the anti-gay part of the narrative. But by now, the apparently-false narrative has become deeply ingrained in American culture. Detailed below are just a few examples of how the narrative has taken hold.

Music:

Elton John penned “American Triangle” as a tribute song to Shepard. Lyrics include, “God hates fags where we come from.” Lady Gaga performed a rendition of “Imagine,” referring to Shepard Speaking of Lady Gaga, a Lady Gaga fan put out a video of himself signing to “Born this way” in commemoration of Shepard: Melissa Etheridge released a song called “Scarecrow” as tribute to Shepard. Lyrics include, “For love they crucified you,” and “This shepherd young and mild.” Many other songs were penned for Shepard, including: Peter Katz’s, “The Fence (The Matthew Shepard Song)” Peter, Paul, and Mary’s, “Jesus on the Wire” Protest the Hero’s, “Fear and Loathing in Laramie” Ron Sexsmith’s, “God Loves Everyone” Janis Ian’s, “Matthew”

Politics:

Shortly after the attack against Shepard in 1998, former President Clinton, asked the nation to join him in praying for Shepard.  In the statement, he said he was "deeply grieved" by the crime, and used it as a rallying point for legislation. By video, President Obama promoted the Matthew Shepard Foundation and welcomed guests to a Matthew Shepard gala dinner. In the video, Obama recounts how he met with Matthew’s mother in the Oval Office, and promised her he would “honor Matthew’s legacy by ensuring that the full might of the law comes down on those who would attack somebody” because of their sexual identity.

The internet fights back to overcome liberal funding bias on campus: UNC Gives far left groups larger budget than College Republicans Campus leaders at UNC Chapel Hill find conservative women unworthy to speak UNC Republicans crowd-source fundraising to bring conservative speakers to campus Rioting is a human right --...

Obama wants to fix the Higher Education Bubble. You're not done saving Detroit, please leave us alone:

• 10 Reasons Why Obama’s “College Affordability Plan” is Full of Fail
• Video – Charles Krauthammer blasts Obama’s speech on college affordability
• How Obama’s Student-Aid Plan Could Harm Liberal Arts
• Obama’s college affordability plan could raise costs

I've got it: If we have too many lawyers already, let's figure out a way to churn them out faster at lower cost so more people apply which increases the oversupply.  It worked so well with the housing market:

• Obama – make law school two years instead of three
• Applications to Law Schools down by 18%

Actually, I have a better idea.  Let's reduce presidential terms to two years instead of four, retroactively, so Presidents can make it to the lecture circuit without running up as much national debt. Please tell me "Yes he can" ... ah, that feels better:

• Satire piece about Obama forgiving student loans fools wishful thinkers

Now we juxtapose:

• Conservative Professor’s Devastating Reply to Liberal Hate Letter
• Video – Tulane U. Assistant Law School dean screams obscenities at citizen journalist

Language Warning