tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post8015614911151071276..comments2024-03-28T06:07:03.667-04:00Comments on The Philosopher's Stone: A SAD DAYRobert Paul Wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11970360952872431856noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-29024532974711640102017-01-20T11:39:53.653-05:002017-01-20T11:39:53.653-05:00Like many others here, I don't enjoy crowds (I...Like many others here, I don't enjoy crowds (I don't have many anxiety issues at all, but big crowds are one place where they come out a bit) or enjoy demonstrations. But, my wife has convinced me to go with her tomorrow to the Women's March in Philadelphia. (I am never eager for her to go to any political demonstrations, as she isn't a US citizen, and while it's very unlikely that she'd be arrested for anything that could cause her to have immigration trouble, I normally think it's not worth the risk. But, she very much wants to go.) <br /><br />In other largely trivial efforts to do something, I wrote this contribution to an on-line journal that tries to get philosophers to address topical issues. The title is clunky (I didn't write it, but I'm not good at titles, either), it's not the smoothest thing I've ever written (a more academic style typically suits me better - I wasn't sure of my target there), but maybe it's still worth something, especially in thinking about immigration policy in the next while. <br /><br />http://www.thecritique.com/articles/fixingthecracking/<br /><br />Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01446428606119200980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-12569109525205014562017-01-20T10:56:47.972-05:002017-01-20T10:56:47.972-05:00If I didn't think we--the relatively conscious...If I didn't think we--the relatively conscious people of the United States--weren't up to this, I would be in despair. But I see signs that we are. My students are walking out today and have organized a rally with two nearby high schools. Tomorrow will be one of the largest marches my city (Seattle) has ever seen. Per capita it will be one of the largest in the country. And yeah, we're going to march in the rain.<br /><br />I see people organizing in all sorts of ways: starting neighborhood groups, running as PCOs, holding workshops, lobbying their state legislators, standing with their unions. I see new symbolism (pussycat hats?) and new senses of identity (The Resistance) emerging. I sense fear among many, to be sure, but I also sense excitement, a renewed commitment to civic engagement, and that feeling of solidarity that comes from banding together in common struggle.<br /><br />I don't doubt that the days ahead will be worse than I'm prepared for. As a teacher, I've already been publicly threatened for voicing my views <i>outside</i> of school. I am not alone, and much more is coming. But there is some safety in numbers, and as long as we fight this thing together, there is hope. Ludwig Richterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17145442092958521609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-76333698778915364782017-01-20T10:11:19.970-05:002017-01-20T10:11:19.970-05:00I can sense the despondency in these words. I feel...I can sense the despondency in these words. I feel it too. I'm also sensing that it may be time to panic. <br /><br />My only comfort is in tapping into the unprecedented level of rage this abysmal human has stirred up. As you've been pointing out, there seems to be a tremendous will to resist what's coming, at least among the humane half of the country. It's certainly unlike anything I've experienced. <br /><br />I expect these demonstrations will be a good deal larger than predicted. Which would be encouraging news in very dark times. <br /><br />Today we awake to find ourselves unlucky tourists in a Jurassic Park of stupidity, bullying, plunder, incompetence, racism, cruelty, environmental destruction, and Lord knows what else. The fences have failed. The creatures have escaped. People are about to be eaten. Ed Barrerashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00245166137503830356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-75590336583446387062017-01-20T09:30:11.605-05:002017-01-20T09:30:11.605-05:00I agree with you today.
Have a great march tomorr...I agree with you today.<br /><br />Have a great march tomorrow!s. wallersteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17448905469871566228noreply@blogger.com