Universities Sowing the Seeds of Their Own Obsolescence

Victor Davis Hanson
"The media blitz during these last several weeks revealed a generation that is poorly educated and yet petulant and self-assured without justification."

"When mobs tore down a statue of Ulysses S. Grant and defaced a monument to African-American veterans of the Civil War, many people wondered whether the protesters had ever learned anything in high school or college.
"Did any of these iconoclasts know the difference between Grant and Robert E. Lee? Could they recognize the name “Gettysburg”? Could they even identify the decade in which the Civil War was fought?
"Universities are certainly teaching our youth to be confident, loud, and self-righteous. But the media blitz during these last several weeks of protests, riots, and looting also revealed a generation that is poorly educated and yet petulant and self-assured without justification.
"Many of the young people on the televised front lines of the protests are in their 20s. But most appear juvenile, at least in comparison to their grandparents — survivors of the Great Depression and World War II.
"How can so many so sheltered and prolonged adolescents claim to be all-knowing?" . . .
Full article here.

NRO contributor VICTOR DAVIS HANSON is the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and the author, most recently, of The Case for Trump. @vdhanson

This writer says to defund the universities

The writer of this post, Jay Latimer is the pen name of a Duke University alumnus.

Defund the universities  "Fed up with Defund the Police? Worried that hordes of “peaceful protestors” might soon show up to burn and pillage your neighborhood? Want to make your views known but unsure where to begin?

"Here’s a way to hit back: defund the universities.

"It’s no secret that much of the radical ideology fueling the Black Lives Matter and Antifa riots are the product of our dysfunctional higher educational system. Universities today are almost 100% hard left-wing bubbles, openly hostile to any conservative thought. They are intolerant of opposing opinions, the very opposite of the kind of dialogue intended for higher education, and so desperately needed today. These Molotov-cocktail wielding radicals are the end product of years of propaganda from left-wing professors.

"Colleges may hate conservatives, but they will be forced to listen – and change – if you target their pocketbooks. And colleges and universities are vulnerable, especially with the current double-whammy of lower student enrollment and the coronavirus taking its toll.

"Here’s a modest outline of how to begin. Ideally some enterprising legislator will help to put these into law. If BLM can force “radical change” on society why can’t conservatives push through a few modest proposals of our own?" . . .  

To: Office of Gift Planning, Duke University

CC: Duke President Vincent E. Price

Dear Sirs,

I am very sorry to have to write you this letter, but I feel I no longer have any choice.

As you know I was considering a major donation to Duke University. However, after learning of President Price’s “structural racism” initiatives, I will no longer be donating to Duke. In fact, I will make it my priority to convince other alumni not to donate as well.

I am shocked and appalled to see the direction that Duke University has chosen to take. I am ashamed to be a Duke alumnus, and am worried and indeed horrified at what this once great institution is becoming.

President Price’s recent announcement to go all-in on a “structural racism” ideology insures that Duke will become a place where racial grievances are magnified, and where people are judged and rewarded based on the color of their skin and actions of their ancestors. Ironically this kind of ideology is the very definition of racism, and the polar opposite of Martin Luther King’s vision for a color-blind society.

Full article

After calling for no fireworks for the 4th of July, Gavin Newsom was in for a surprise

The right can have its social justice warriors as well, in spite of Democrats and their Congressional Republican allies. TD

With the Wuhan virus, Gavin Newsom discovers the perils of crying ‘Wolf’
. . . "And then, suddenly, Newsom announced that mass riots were okay – and, by the way, if you’re not rioting, you’re still locked up. Having been lied to and manipulated, Californians are turning to civil disobedience." . . .
. . . "It turns out that, even in a smugly leftist state, the government can only cry “wolf” so often." . . .

Monica Showalter  "Amid a new outbreak of the coronavirus, California's Gavin Newsom was adamant that no firework celebrations be done on the Fourth of July, because the public simply could not be trusted to socially distance.

If you're looking for fireworks, the governor said he believes counties should consider canceling shows.

Addressing the counties on California's watchlist, he explained, "We have worked with those counties, the 19 counties that are mandatory closure lists and we have made it clear privately- now we're making it more abundantly clear publicly- that we believe that they should consider canceling some of their fireworks shows and presentations. By the way, a number of cities have done just that, LA in San Francisco." . . .

. . .

Richard Grenell posted:The people of Southern California are revolting against @GavinNewsom. My liberal neighbors are fed up with his controlling ways.

. . .
. . . Here's economically battered Fresno, from a scold of a reporter looking to see those tickets issued:
. . .

"All that mattered was that he be able to put out an order and watch the descamisados fall into line.

"So he got what he wanted with the shutdown of public displays, making a lot of people unhappy, but instead of compliance, got a massive repudiation of his utterly unreasonable order. And a big celebration of freedom instead, highly appropriate on America's national holiday. Maybe he can take the sentiment of the people and the verdict of science into consideration next time he wants to flex his state muscle and work on his lethal nursing home policy instead."

BLM Co-Founder Once “Begged Allah” in a Tweet For “Strength” Not to Kill White People

Kamala Harris, comment, please. As Maxine Waters said of the Rodney King riots, "We do not condone..."

Wayne Dupree   

"If you wonder how BLM became such a violent and militant group, wonder no more…their violent and radical roots go back to the beginning of the movement.
"A Sudanese refugee and proud Marxist by the name of Yusra Khogali is one of the co-founders of Black Lives Matter collective in Canada.
"Khogali is also a devout anti-white activist and racist.
"She believes white people are “subhuman” and should be “wiped out.' ”

"MORE NEWS: [VIDEO] Experts Say Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Just Violated IRS Law During an Appearance on CNN"

BLM Mob Once Again Swarms St Louis Couple’s Home…Harassment’s So Bad They Boarded Up Their Home

Wayne Dupree
"This is not a protest - these people are not political - this is harassment and intimidation by the BLM Mob"
"Protesting a politician or a celebrity or some other public person who has massive influence is one thing…but to target American citizens for no other reason than harassment and intimidation is quite another.
"That’s exactly what’s happening to the St. Louis couple who were forced to defend their home with guns last week when the BLM mob broke down their privacy gate and trespassed on private property and threatened to kill them, their dog, and burn down their house.

"Again, these people are not political figures or celebrities.
"These are average American citizens and they should not be subjected to this type of torment and mob-intimidation.

"What exactly is this mob “protesting” anyway?
How can people be safe in their homes when even the press demagogues them? Defend your home and they will write things like this about you:

"Couple points guns at peaceful protesters in St Louis, US"  "A white couple came out of their house, pointing guns at Black Lives Matter protesters in their neighbourhood."

Why is there no national outcry? Don't expect Hollywood people to condemn all this until they see that it would be fashionable. Have any TV talk shows spoken out against this?  Have CNN or MSNBC  spoken out against the mobs? I think you will see how these media people call the rioters a "merry caravan". I still wait for signs of disgust in civilized America.  TD

Welcome to Bizarro Oregon

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Hat tip to Diana Anderson

Lessons we can learn if we look back to July 4, 1863

Grant enters Vicksburg

The Hill    "This year’s July 4th celebrations will be different than years past as our country continues to battle through the COVID-19 pandemic. There are some lessons we can learn if we look back to July 4, 1863, to the Vicksburg victory and Abraham Lincoln’s letters on July 13, 1863, after Grant’s victory and on July 14 to General Meade, the victorious general of the Battle of Gettysburg. These two letters have much to teach us about character and leadership which can and should be applied today. 
"On July 4th, 1863, the Union forces were victorious in the Battle of Vicksburg, a crucial turning point in the Civil War. Control of Vicksburg, Miss., meant control of the Mississippi River, which would allow for the transportation of men and supplies. 
"Additionally, Union control of Vicksburg divided the Confederacy in half. Commenting on the importance of Vicksburg for victory in the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln had said that “Vicksburg is the key. The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket.” After several unsuccessful attempts to capture Vicksburg, General Grant commenced a siege of Vicksburg on May 25, 1863, which lasted for six weeks until the Confederate forces, led by General John Pemberton, surrendered on July 4. 
"During the time that Grant was waging war on Vicksburg, the historic Battle of Gettysburg was taking place. Fought for three days, from July 1 to July 3, General George Meade, who had taken control of the Army of the Potomac just three days earlier, defeated Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s forces. " . . .

Updated: CNN slights Mount Rushmore as 'monument of two slaveowners' after extolling its 'majesty' in 2016

First this: Trump's finest speech -- and a press that beclowns itself in boiling hate

. . . "Ted Cruz easily took down this CNN pinhead:

Your network is literally arguing to tear down Mount Rushmore. And claiming that murderous, raping anarchists are a peaceful “street festival.”

And, don't forget, a "merry caravan"

CNN slights Mount Rushmore as 'monument of two slaveowners' after extolling its 'majesty' in 2016   "A CNN reporter on Friday described Mount Rushmore "a monument of two slaveowners" situated on stolen land ahead of President Trump's visit to the national monument.
"Grabien founder and editor Tom Elliot tweeted a clip of the report by correspondent Leyla Santiago in which she discussed Trump's planned remarks.
" 'President Trump will be at Mount Rushmore, where he’ll be standing in front of a monument of two slave owners and on land wrestled away from Native Americans," she said. "I'm told that, uh, he'll be focusing on the effort to 'tear down our country's history.'"
"In 2016, however, a CNN reporter described Mount Rushmore as a "monument to four great American presidents" while narrating a story about a visit to the monument by then-presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.,
 "This is our country at it's very best," Sanders said at the time. "What an incredible achievement."
"The unidentified reporter's voice can be heard talking about the "majesty of the moment." . . .

Update: Elaine Krewer posted The American Catholic:

Meanwhile, Insty points out that only 12 years ago (2008) Obama visited Mount Rushmore while on the primary campaign trail and none other than Jim Acosta of CNN pondered whether Obama’s visage would ever appear on the Mountain. To which Obama replied that he wasn’t sure there was enough rock up there to accomodate his large ears. 🙂 In 2016, Bernie Sanders visited Mount Rushmore and declared it a great and wonderful example of American accomplishment. But that, of course, was so four years ago….

Call to remove statue of explorer who brutalized Native Americans ignites firestorm in Tillamook County

Call to remove statue of explorer who "brutalized Native Americans" ignites firestorm in Tillamook County

Helen Hill

. . . "Stories of Gray’s interactions with other tribes along the coast are similar. In Tillamook, in sight of where his statue now stands, he turned his cannons on the Natives who were rowing out to the ship. For many years following the incident, present-day Tillamook Bay was known as “Murderer’s Bay.' ” . . .
Called by that name not for the natives killed, but because of the murder of the young crewman trying to get his sword back. The incident is described in this account by those who were there and witnessed first hand what took place. Source pending:

Ms. Hill documents other evil deeds done by Gray but in light of the log recorded by Lady Washington's diarist that refutes the modern-day account, all other of Hill's items are in question. I have to feel history mal-education has been a major cause for the destruction of America's treasured memories around our nation today. TD

Bruce Catton: The Civil Warrior

HistoryNet. 2017: 
"Through his pioneering histories of the Civil War, it was said, Bruce Catton “made us hear the sounds of battle and cherish peace.' ”

. . . "Soon Catton went east to try his hand with the Boston American. But the experiment didn’t last long, as the American was a Hearst paper, and Catton quickly acquired an aversion for “this business of nagging some poor family for pictures of the victim.” He retraced his steps and joined the staff of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Catton would later credit his editors there for demanding accuracy and clarity in his writing, just as covering Cleveland’s ethnic communities gave him an insight into human nature and values.". . . 

Catton

"After leaving government service, Catton turned his attention to the conflict that had been on his mind since childhood. His first attempt at a book on the Civil War took the form of fiction—an effort ultimately abandoned as a false start. He later destroyed all his attempts at fiction, saying that he didn’t want to embarrass his descendants. 
"Newspaper work is not good training for novelists,” he told an interviewer, “but it’s very good training for historians.” The reporter and the historian, he pointed out, gathered information by similar methods: talking to eyewitnesses, reading their letters and diaries, and digging tenaciously for facts. He found those regimental histories to be good sources for the experiences of the men who did the fighting as opposed to those of the generals behind the lines.
"With his first Civil War history manuscript in hand, Catton faced the problem of getting it published. “Finding a publisher when you’re unknown is one of the most hopeless jobs in the world,” he recalled. Everywhere he was met by the same refrain: Civil War books didn’t sell. Finally, though, at the urging of George Braziller, an influential independent publisher, Doubleday agreed to take it on.
"PUBLISHED IN 1951, MR. LINCOLN’S ARMY OPENED with a description of the return of the Army of the Potomac from Major General George B. McClellan’s unsuccessful Peninsular Campaign. Early in the narrative, Catton observed:

From first to last the Army of the Potomac was unlucky. It fought for four years, and it took more killing, proportionately, than any army in American history, and its luck was always out; it did its level best and lost; when it won the victory was always clouded by a might-have-been, and when at last the triumph came at Appomattox there were so very, very many of its men who weren’t there to see it. . . .

Union Soldier Service Records

Republicans everywhere are cowering before these people! UPDATED

https://townhall.com/political-cartoons/afbranco/

Protesters Cry Out For Police Help While Protesting the Police   All this destruction caused by kids. Listen to the sounds of leftist speakers on nearly every other report and notice the youthful voices cheering. Much like at a Beto O'Rourke rally. TD

NYPD Taunted by Protesters: ‘Black Judas,’ ‘You Guys Go to Clown College’

“You should f—ing know better,” the man shouted at the black officer. “You should know better. Traitor! Traitor to your f—ing people! You’re like the f—king black Judas.”

Extreme language advisory. Expect this guy to be a guest on CNN and/or MSNBC.

. . . "The protester was captured on film by Townhall senior writer Julio Rosas, who was on the ground that night covering various groups of occupiers and NYC CHAZ (City Hill Autonomous Zone) demonstrators.
The clip begins with a woman in a mask cursing at officers stationed outside One Police Plaza. "I can't believe you all are getting paid to sit there like f---ing idiots," she said. "You guys go to clown college for like 26 weeks."
"Before the woman could finish her next insult, she was cut off by a man wearing very little clothing, who'd been dancing in front of the officers earlier in the evening. He berated the police and cursed at them for their lack of education.

Before shouting racial slurs at the authorities, the unidentified protester had been dancing up and down the line of NYPD police in a taunting manner.

Announcing Reader’s Choice Award: Select The Liberal Media Propagandist Of The Year For 2020

Joe Newby  "As regular readers know, we routinely highlight the bias and sometimes outright lies put forward by what we call the “Democrat-Media Complex” — what others call the “Mainstream media.”

"The fact is that “journalism” has been dead for quite some time.  Media outlets like CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC. CBS and others have become nothing more than willing propagandists for the Democrat Party, doing everything they can to hurt President Trump and foment division and hatred in America.
"For that reason, this writer no longer refers to those who work at these outlets as “reporters.”  In my mind, they’re nothing but propagandists.
"So I decided to start a new tradition here at the Conservative Firing Line, and I’d like your input.  I’d like to name the one person who best exemplifies what the “media” has become.
"Here are the rules:
"Below is a poll that lists several names.  You may select up to three names or you may add a name if the person you want to win isn’t listed.
"This poll will remain open until July 15, 2020, at which time we will tally the results and pick

Added by TD

the top four finalists.  Those individuals will advance into the final round, and the person who receives the most votes will be named the Liberal Media Propagandist of the Year.  The winner will be announced here on August 1, 2020.  We will also list the second- and third-place winners.
"It is my intention to send the name of the winners, along with certificates, to the White House Press Secretary, the persons who “won” and the outlets they work for.
"If you’d like more information on those who made the list, feel free to click HERE.  You can also visit Newsbusters if you wish to find more information about them.
"Here is the poll.  Feel free to leave comments explaining your vote(s) and by all means, please share the poll with your friends:" . . .   Here are the nominees.