Author Archives: David S. Meyer

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About David S. Meyer

Author and professor of Sociology and Political Science at the University of California, Irvine

Stanford, Steyer, and institutional allies

Posted on May 8, 2014 by David S. Meyer

Here’s a little wrinkle on yesterday’s news about Stanford’s coal divestment: Billionaire Tom Steyer sits on Stanford’s board of trustees; actually, he’s vice-chair.  Steyer, formerly an extremely successful hedge fund manager, has been raising money for liberal and Democratic candidates … Continue reading →

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Stanford and the Fossil Free campaign

Posted on May 7, 2014 by David S. Meyer

Stanford University announced that it would work to divest holdings in coal companies from its investment portfolio.  It’s a relatively small blow to the coal industry, which is bracing for some bigger hits soon.  It’s also a big victory for … Continue reading →

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The Los Angeles chapter of the NAACP is not going to hold a dinner to honor Donald Sterling and Leland Spencer, as it had previously announced.  Its unpaid president, Leon Jenkins, is stepping down from his position, and the national … Continue reading →

Posted on May 2, 2014 by David S. Meyer | Leave a comment

May Day 2014

Posted on May 1, 2014 by David S. Meyer

Same as it ever was, May Day is an international day of protest for workers rights.  Below is a picture of a march in Turkey, taken from Al Jazeera, which reports on protests around the world. In the United States, … Continue reading →

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Leveraging against a weak target: Donald Sterling’s reputation

Posted on April 30, 2014 by David S. Meyer

The straw that breaks the camel’s back isn’t always the largest one.  The tempest surrounding the LA Clippers and owner Donald Sterling illustrates much about how social movements work–when they work. When Sterling’s ostensibly private and clearly offensive comments about blacks, … Continue reading →

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Cliven Bundy gets real

Posted on April 24, 2014 by David S. Meyer

Sure enough, as the Feds backed down and out–at least for the moment–the camera has shifted to Cliven Bundy, the rancher who doesn’t want to pay to graze his cattle on public lands.  So far, it’s not such a pretty … Continue reading →

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Uniting against the US: BLM and Cliven Bundy

Posted on April 21, 2014 by David S. Meyer

Cliven Bundy, a rancher in Nevada, has been grazing his cattle on public land in Clark County for free for more than twenty years.  (The story is all over, but you can find a succinct summary at the new site, … Continue reading →

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Bankrolling Tea Party radio

Posted on April 18, 2014 by David S. Meyer

In the expansive and fragmented media universe, each of us can find the news and entertainment we want.  And, if you have the money, you can make sure others have access to your favorite news, views, and entertainment as well.  … Continue reading →

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Tax Day protests

Posted on April 15, 2014 by David S. Meyer

April 15 is a great day to stage an anti-tax protest.  Federal taxes are due, forms are complicated, and many people procrastinate.  Few of even the strongest supporters of a strong well-funded government are enthusiastic about filling out forms and … Continue reading →

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Passover 2014; telling the story

Posted on April 14, 2014 by David S. Meyer

It’s Passover; the first seder is tonight, and I thought it was worth writing something about story-telling and ritual.  I learned that I already had (pasted below). The stories we tell about the past affect how we see the present … Continue reading →

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