Tag Archives: Donald Trump

New nuclear tests are a political test

Donald Trump announced that the United States would start testing its nuclear arsenal again–after foregoing nuclear weapons testing since 1992, when the Cold War ended and the Soviet Union fell apart. In doing so, he effectively announced a political challenge … Continue reading

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Anchoring academic resistance

Last week the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) rejected the “Compact” offered by the Trump Administration, crossing a line into resistance and (implicitly) inviting other universities to follow. In a powerful letter, MIT President Sally Kornbluth, the cell biologist, explained … Continue reading

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Solidarity and higher education

https://www.inquirer.com/education/upenn-union-rally-dei-funding-trump-administration-20250320.html Virtually everyone starts with a gripe about higher education: costs, grades, debt, jobs, parking, artificial intelligence, natural intelligence, and so and so on. The Trump administration has floated on all the grievances to launch a series of attacks that … Continue reading

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Thugs, Threats, and Repression

Rutgers University historian Mark Bray has fled the country, relocating with his family to Spain this week. Bray hasn’t been arrested, indicted, or placed on one of Donald Trump’s enemies list; his health and welfare–and that of his family–have been … Continue reading

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Jimmy Kimmel, free speech, and turning points

When the Trump episode (epoch?) in American life ends, the brief suspension of a late night talk show host may well mark the turning point when Republicans and conservatives began to abandon this president’s authoritarian aspirations. And why not? It’s … Continue reading

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Searching for Solidarity in Higher Education (1)

I want to know what we’re doing to save higher education in America from the Trump Administration. Tell me what you know about. Here’s what I’ve seen: The victims of the Trump Administration’s scattershot but relentless campaign against America’s colleges … Continue reading

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Labor Day (repost and rewritten)

(2021) Here’s a repost and re-edit of some thoughts about Labor Day and its origins. As long as I’ve been aware, Labor has faced a moment of crisis–an extended moment. But things can always get worse and even more urgent. … Continue reading

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How the LA protests might work for activists and politicians. A note on strategy.

The fallout from the immigration protests in Los Angeles that started this weekend will play out for a long while, far long than the protests–which are likely to continue and, maybe, change form in the next few days and nights. … Continue reading

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Polarization and the National Guard

President Trump federalized the National Guard, promising to promote public order and protect Immigration agents in Los Angeles. You see, protesters had turned up to bear witness and maybe stop the wholesale detention (and deportation) of masses of people who … Continue reading

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May Day 2025, it’s not just labor…

This is a repost and edit of an earlier post. As always, May Day is an international day of protest for workers rights.  Below is a picture of a march at a courthouse in Philadelphia. CBS News has posted great … Continue reading

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