Monday, February 12, 2007

The Clarifiers: "No Comment"

As a forerunner to tonight’s second leg of the Group of 88 Rehab Tour (for those on the Duke campus, 6.30pm, Mary Williams Center), today’s Chronicle has a well-done article on the recent Friends of Duke ad.

The FODU ad responded to the first leg of the Rehab Tour, the statement of the so-called “clarifying” faculty. The clarifiers said they wanted dialogue, so the FODU ad posed a series of questions.

The response? According to reporter Lysa Chen, “More than 80 members of the Concerned Faculty were contacted by The Chronicle via e-mail to comment on the recent FODU advertisement. Four responded and all declined to answer questions.”

So much for wanting dialogue.

The clarifiers did, however, add the student newspaper to their enemies’ list. The clarifiers wanted to publish their document as an ad in the Chronicle, which requested—as per its regular policy—several changes. Friends of Duke spokesperson Jason Trumpbour said that FODU went through the same process—submitting an ad, then having the Chronicle request changes for purposes of accuracy or fairness. FODU accepted the changes, and the ad was published. The clarifiers refused to accept any changes, and instead posted their item on the web.

The clarifiers’ response to these developments?

“The Chronicle has lost my respect,” Robyn Wiegman, director of women’s studies, wrote in an e-mail, labeling the newspaper's decision as censorship. “It has no interest in fairness or in journalistic professionalism.”

In other words, the Group of 88 and its allies do not have to follow the same rules as everyone else. That seems to be a recurrent pattern in the Group’s behavior.

122 comments:

Anonymous said...

Poor Chronicle...how terrible to lose the respect of WomStud director Robin Wiegman!

Of course, when one thinks of who she does respect, I suppose it's not so bad.

Anonymous said...

Very disturbing. After all that has taken place in the past year....the Duke88 cannot behave like adults.

Were it not for the fact that this case is so serious, one could create a whole cartoon series on these poor hapless misfits who are allowed to teach at Duke University.

Debrah

Anonymous said...

These 'pro'fessors are looking more and more pathetic as days go by.

Anonymous said...

I followed the link to the article and laughed at the title: "assistant profesor of Romance Studies." I confess that I had the image of someone making his/her life into the study of the works of Nora Roberts, Danielle Steele, etc.

So, as a penance of sorts, I googled Duke Romance Studies to see what the material really was. That search led me to:

http://www.romancestudies.aas.duke.edu/

An excerpt from there from the "second workshop" description:

"...a possible metaphor to express what we have in mind, explores the signifying labor performed by categories like sex-gender, class, sexuality and race in the Americas as heard in the ubiquitous claims made nowadays regarding the inevitable cultural, social, economic, and temporal transformations we are calling the "Latinization of the United States."

Hmmmmm.

- "possible metaphor"
- "ubiquitous claims"
- "signifying labor"
- "inevitable ... transformations"

All at the end of one paragraph!

I wonder if the folk in the Romance Studies department are simply users of:

http://www.elsewhere.org/pomo

Anonymous said...

To the G88/87:

We're listening and want to hear more from you. Everytime you respond we learn more about you, your scholorship, and your character. We're here and we don't want you to forget that.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Step back!

Careful now.

Someone might get mugged by one of Wahneema's metaphors.

Run! Run!

Anonymous said...

Step back!

Careful now.

Someone might get mugged by one of Wahneema's metaphors.

Run! Run!

Anonymous said...

Step back!

Careful now.

Someone might get mugged by one of Wahneema's metaphors.

Run! Run!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

I will vote for Barrack Hussein Obama so I can claim victimhood due to the oppression of the black overlords. Good times lie ahead, oh yeah...

Anonymous said...

TO 12:43PM---

As comical as it sounds, the medical profession has done studies on such a phenomenon. Seems women who have active and happy sex lives also have much better dispositions in others areas of their lives.

Hot, torrid sex as an antidote for what ails angry sex-starved feminists?

Could be. LIS!!!

Debrah

Anonymous said...

Another rape at Duke...any details?
This will undeniably support the group of 88's claim of "prevelance of sexual violence" on campus. Where's all the potbangers? Where's the statement from the group of 88 about this rape? Wonder how they're going to handle this. If there is no sport team involved in this rape, what can they ban for the rest of the season? Classes? Hope so!

Anonymous said...

Debrah,
Almost nothing a politician or his wife say can be taken at face value. I didn't see the interview you discussed, but already there are voices saying Obama really isn't "black" because he hasn't been a victim of race politics. Well, actually he was when he ran against a "blacker" candidate for Congress and lost, before he eventually won his current office. So, it could be that the wife is playing up the "victim" role to appeal to a Democratic primary constituency.

Anonymous said...

TO 12:49PM---

As cosmetic as a name can be.......many Jewish voters do not feel comfortable with someone whose name is Hussein.

An emotional response to be sure, but who can blame anyone for having a bit of hesitation when thinking about someone running for president who has intimate knowledge of Muslim ways ?

Debrah

Anonymous said...

Nifong Foe Questions Judge's Delay

Why the delay by Judge Hudson?

But Betty Tenn Lawrence, an Asheville lawyer representing Brewer, filed a request Monday to be a "private prosecutor" in the civil complaint and challenged Hudson's authority to postpone the removal proceeding.

Anonymous said...

Police Investigate alleged assault of Duke Student

Anonymous said...

1:00

That is good news indeed - let's hope that case gets some traction in a court other than Hudson's.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

TO 1:00PM---

Good news, indeed!

Debrah

Anonymous said...

Debrah and 12:59:
Leaving aside what's in a name (Obama is, I believe, a practicing Christian), I frankly think we might be a lot better off if someone with at least a little "knowledge of Muslim ways" could get within a 50-mile radius of the White House. So far there's little evidence that anyone there (and this could probably extend back through Democratic administrations as well as Republican) has a clue about how to deal with Islam or Islamic countries.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, that was supposed to be Debrah AT 12:59, not AND

Anonymous said...

I just can't believe it. I thought in this period of time before the may hearing their wouldn't be anything to blog about. Everything has been well analyzed by everyone. And now it seems the 88 are going to provide us plenty to discuss before may. It seems to me that Duke alums need to ask for the removal of these student hating, world hating professors. And now another rape! I guess as smart as Duke students are they didn't learn that off campus parties are dangerous.

Anonymous said...

JLS says....

I guess the gangsters can not stop digging. This situation will become amusing once the remaining charges are dropped.

Anonymous said...

TO 1:23PM---

I accept your tap dance inside the realm of "progressive, worldy" analysis.....as the swipe against GWB that it is.

Debrah

Anonymous said...

The rapist was described as wearing a "black do-rag".

What does that tell you?

Anonymous said...

Carolyn says.

The Gang of 88 won't comment on their refusal to comment? In other words, do as I say, not as I do?

That translates into doo doo all over their stupid non-argument arguments!

Anonymous said...

JLS says...

GS did WRAL edit the story to remove the private prosecutor part?

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm, sounds a lot like..."Be reasonable, and do things my way"

Seems to be the 88's MO

- glad I'm not discussing my 'cultural expectations' with these fascists

Anonymous said...

For the longest time I have continued to just let these loopy faculty types flitter their chosen way - but if the CCI turns out as I fear, I would like to know what this Alum can do to put these creeps in their place - one of apology

Anonymous said...

gs at 1:00 pm -

How could Lawrence represent Brewer and at the same time act as a "private prosecutor"? Isn't that a conflict of interest??

--Lumpy Gravy

Anonymous said...

The Delphi Technique

Anon posted this on the the previous topic this morning. I am reposting in case you might like to read it.

It reminds me of my training in leading group therapy on the locked ward. Encourage the patient to express their feelings and ask questions to help them confront their negative (well, honestly, we used to say 'bad') behavior.
sigh.

Anonymous said...

Anyone think that the Rehab Tour of the Crazy 88 will address the new allegation of rape? I DON"T- it doesn't fit their metanarrative- apparently white alleged victim, apparently black alleged perpetrator, party sponsored by a black fraternity, and alleged possession of illegal drugs- can't discuss the subjegation of women under this scenario!

Anonymous said...

1:23 Of course the other way of looking at that is that the "arab" street may need to do a better job understanding the "western" street.

Anonymous said...

I honestly can't say that getting comment from the G88 for a Chronicle article is such a worthwhile endeavor while they are still working on the report.

I think that getting them on the record in a signed document is the best thing to hope for at this point.

Undoubtedly, the report will leave many of the important questions unanswered. However, once the report is issued, there will be much more context for those questions.

Anonymous said...

2:04 Why stop at an apology, these frauds need to go get real jobs and desist from polluting our children's minds?

Anonymous said...


In other words, the Group of 88 and its allies do not have to follow the same rules as everyone else. That seems to be a recurrent pattern in the Group’s behavior.


When you are trying to tear down a corrup and oppressive society to remake it as a kinder, gentler entity, you can hardly follow the rules, now can you?

Anonymous said...

3:00 PM--
Sure, I see your point. But I guess I'd like to address what is ours to influence or control (what we know and understand) first.
1:23 PM

Anonymous said...

Vis a vis the recent rape allegation:
1:38 PM, it doesn't need to tell you anything if you read the news sources that reported the race of the suspect, as announced by the Durham police but apparently not considered worthy of reporting in the News & Observer. At this point that would be the Duke Chronicle and the Durham Herald-Sun (really!--see for yourself, but you'll have to find it because I don't know how to do hyperlinks).

3 PM, has there been any suggestion that the alleged victim was white? I haven't seen any and, given what was reported about the party (again, I'm relying on the Duke Chronicle, which reported that, according to several students, a party hosted by members of a black Duke fraternity was taking place at the address where the incident occurred), I think there is at least a reasonable chance that she is black.

Anonymous said...

1:38

The WRAL television report used the word "doo-rag" which I assume, is something very different than a "do-rag". But that alone does not identify the race of the perpetrator of what is still being called an alledged rape.

And what was Prince wearing on his head during the Super Bowl? Was that a do-rag, a doo-rag, or has anyone checked Aunt Jemima to see if her headgear is missing?

And is his Purpleness black enough to be considered black? He is paler than Barrack Hussein Obama. Paging Mr. Crow, phone call for Jim Crow...

Anonymous said...


And is his Purpleness black enough to be considered black? He is paler than Barrack Hussein Obama. Paging Mr. Crow, phone call for Jim Crow...


Yeah, we shoud all withhold judgement.

It might turn out to be a white guy who was invited along who allegedly raped a black female Duke student.

Then we can all justifiably rush to judgement.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 1:38
Unfortunately a "black do-rag" in this day & age is not reserved for the "thugniggaintellectual" but instead has become the choice of head gear for many white wannabe "thugniggaintellectuals"
as well
I'm betting the alleged rapist is black only because the media has failed to identify his color. If he was white they'd have no trouble shouting it from the rooftops!

Anonymous said...

KC, are you going to be there tonight, for the rehab tour? It would be great if you were there.

Anonymous said...

Carolyn says:

People, please be warned. No matter how flawless KC's logic is, no matter how eloquent Bill Anderson is, no matter how reasoned the FODU are, and no matter how many facts, truth and honesty all of us present to the Gang of 88 - none of it is going to make them change their minds unless they want to. And they don't.

As Dorothy Parker warned, "You can lead a horticulture but you can't make her think."

Sorry, fellas. This Gang isn't thinking. And it never will.

Anonymous said...

I always though it was dew-rag :).

Gayle Miller said...

I still do not understand what is going on with these Group of 88 people. But my guess is that they are solely interested in defending their insane condemnation (before indictment or trial) and their unquestioning acceptance of the alleged victim's original (first of many) stories.

With DNA evidence wholly lacking and the multiple versions of the story - many of which are refuted entirely by independent testimony or clear cut empirical evidence, how is it possible that these people still defend their actions? Do they think that an unfounded accusation is sufficient to ruin the lives of three innocent young men?

This isn't about the alleged victim or even the three [innocent] young men - this is about them being so insecure and steeped in the culture of victimology that they CANNOT and will not admit that they were just plain WRONG.

Don't parse it. Don't try to justify your horrible behavior and words. Just say: "I was wrong and I'm sorry!" That is the only clarification or rehabilitation that is acceptable. You were WRONG, all 88 of you. You condemned without evidence three innocent young men.

The Group of 88 members are pathetic and have no business teaching young people. It is time for them to find out what it's like to work a REAL JOB where they won't have time to run around making trouble for people who haven't committed the crimes of which they are accused.

Gary Packwood said...

Gayle Miller 4:46 PM

Red Carpet Moment - Valhalla - Give Up Undergraduate Education at Duke University

Good thoughts Gayle

I think these folks are going to be silent until they get the 'red carpet moment' that has been promised to them just prior to entry into Valhalla.

Can we create a Red Carpet Moment here on this blog for these and similar folk.. or perhaps a Fall On Your Sword opportunity?

If I was a member of the Board of Trustees of Duke University, I would be giving serious thought to getting out of undergraduate education all together. The current gaggle of campus executives just don't know how to manage and lead an institution with undergraduate education opportunities.

Anonymous said...

Supposedly a white freshman at Duke has accused a black man at a Greek party of rape. Where are the pot bangers. Most likely this one did happen. Who wants to send their kids to Duke now. Your children are harrassed by the police, they are not being protected and the white kids are targets for anything and everything while the black kids get away with murder. Sounds like a safe school to me. Even their professors have publically claimed they dislike the rich white kids. Never in a million years would I send my kids into that hell hole.

Anonymous said...

One Ad, 88 Professors, and No Apologies

The latest on this mess from the Chronicle of Higher Education

Anonymous said...

To a lawyer:
When choosing a jury, is there a way of determining a persons likelihood of pre-judging a defendant's guilt or innocence? What is used to safeguard against this?
Can a public display of the mind-set such as that of the group of 88, be a reason for appeal of a conviction from someone for whom any of them have ever served as juror?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 5:34 -

I followed the link. I found this quote from a professor astounding:

"While some professors criticized last spring's ad, others were taken aback by the economics professors' letter welcoming lacrosse players. Mr. Surin, the literature professor, fired off an e-mail message to Thomas Nechyba, chairman of the economics department, complaining about the letter. Many people were bothered by the implication that the Group of 88 were not welcoming to all students, Mr. Surin says.

When asked whether he "welcomes" all students to his classes, Mr. Surin dismisses the word itself. "I admit students to my classes. I do not welcome them," he says. "I am not at the door shaking people's hands. They just come in and take their seats."

Besides, he says, athletes would never take his classes. "I do not give quizzes," he says. "I give very hard reading." "

So, the lacrosse players cannot partake of hard reading? What is their collective GPA, 3.45?

Unbelievable

--Lumpy Gravy

Anonymous said...

I don't believe the 88 are receiving ill tempered,etc emails. The overwhelming majority of us follow KCs lead, The 88 are lying. Just as gail Dines did. They are a disgrace. I thought romance studies was subtitled Nora Roberts also, but then Nora can write. I would not vote for anyone with the middle name of Huessin. Michelle O is shooting him in the foot.
six weeks of election 08 and we have Biden, Osamba and Edwards limping. Love America.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps the most important thing to come of this debacle is that DAs and the judiciary are on notice that they are being scrutinized ...

Let's see some scalps!

Anonymous said...

I am Irish American and am not comfortable with voting for anyone named Huessin either. Remember 9/11 - those guys were not named Sean, Jacob, Lucio, or Polaski. I have read the girl was white. We will never hear from the 88 on this. Maybe Alex R can write an essay on coed, drink and hookup.

Anonymous said...

2:04 The inmates have taken over the asylum. Duke Admin isi not interested in what you or any other Dule Alum think. Just your money. Keep those checks rolling.

Anonymous said...

12{57 There is a wonderful FDR story. When running in 1936, he promised Pittsburg many benifits to the city. In 1940, he asked Harry Hopkins (Chief of Staff) Did I deliver to Pittsburg? Harry said NO and recommended FDR deny he had ever been to Pittsburg.

Anonymous said...

6:12

Did you read what the Chronicle of Higher Education article said was sent to Karla Holloway? Can you actually say that was not racist? Obviously not, so it must be a vast conspiracy in which the author conspired with the professor against the white men.

And you actually believe the people on this blog who say they will vote against Obama because of his name are not racists? Please, give us all a break.

Anonymous said...

Did you read what the Chronicle of Higher Education article said was sent to Karla Holloway?

She sent it to herself.

Anonymous said...

The problem is that the Group of 88 are being challenged to enter into a rational discussion of their actions, something which by virtue of their training and work they are ill-equiped to undertake.

Anonymous said...

Men familiar with Muslim ways got within five mile of the White House when they hit the Penagon. That is close enough for me.

Anonymous said...

Americans aren't ready to elect a president whose name ends in a,e,i,o,or u.

Anonymous said...

Mr Surin reminds me of our beloved Mayor Oscar Goodmen, who on the criticizm of Vegas for no fireworks NYE1999 said " We're not about fireworks - we're about gambling." This was so well received, we have had millions of dollars worth of fireworks since then on New Years Eve,

Anonymous said...

6:40: yes, that's rational discussion for you, with one person saying that Holloway sent herself hate mail, another saying that nobody familiar with Muslim society should get near the White House. I would say that the 88 at least have some ability to think critically, an element clearly lacking in this blog.

Anonymous said...

I,too,found Professor Surin's comments extremely offensive. So, he "admits" students to his class and "athletes would never take his classes." From this brief glimpse into his view of his relationship with his students, I sure wouldn't want to pay the intellectual price of admission to one of his classes if I were a student. I found the original statement of the Group of 88 despicable and I was absolutely stunned to read their "clarifying" statement and to see so many replacements from the ranks of the Duke faculty eager to align themselves with such a discredited and controversial statement. One thing I do know for sure is that no apology will ever be offered and that the Group of 88/87 will just keep digging.

Anonymous said...

TO 6:44PM---

The hell you say!

Rudy Giuliani could be president at a moment's notice.....and might well be.

I can only hope.

Debrah

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

6:12

We are racists for not voting for someone named Hussein? Which race are we hating on? African Americans? Africans? If Africans, which ones - Kenya alone has many different people. Are we hating Arabs? Are Arabs a race? How about Muslims? Are they a race? How about white people - he is part white - do we hate that part of him? If so, which part - his mother has a varied heritage. Christians? Are we hating them? If so, we would have plenty of company among leftists. Are Christians a race?

Can you follow any of this? Do you have any understanding of what the word racist means? Or do you teach at Duke? If so, then I know the answer.

Anonymous said...

7:00 here - my bad - I addressed that to 6:12 - should have been 6:36.

Anonymous said...

i find it completely amazing that the story of the new rape at duke appears to have fallen off the local news outlets (N&O and WRAL).

My hunch is the alleged perpetrator is black. Afterall, he was originally described as wearing do-rag. don't see many white people wearing those, but that observation is probably just as racist as noticing that barack obama is articulate.

WINDBAG

Anonymous said...

Prove she didn't send herself the email. You have 24 hours.


Go!

Anonymous said...

7:08

Rape perpetrated by black men is very common here in Durham. It is not news. It happens with increasing frequency under the regime of Bill Bell and the total lack of police protection or an honest judicial system.

This is a dog bites man story - nothing to see here, move along. Better yet, it's retribution on some Duke student, and you know what they are all about - privilege and wealth.

Anonymous said...

I would not be surprised if members of the 88 have received racist emails. Deplorable, I agree. But KC-led blog movement as a whole is firmly opposed to racism, holding that individuals should be judged not by the color of their skins but rather by the content of their characters. The 88, in contrast, apparently think that people should be pre-judged by their group affiliations (race, gender, class-background, membership in athletic groups, etc.). It is obvious where the real racism is to be found.

Anti-Leftist Liberal

Anonymous said...

I'm certain the G88 recieve racist emails. I suspect they they save them for future use. The reasoned polite emails which I assu
me are the vast majority are immediately deleted. The G88 are extremist who are attracting radicals from the other side.

The G88 have a paper trail outside the Duke lax case which limits their ability to seem reasonable. You can't claim to seem reasonable in this instance when you support the Taliban or want to free Mumia Abu Jamal.

Anonymous said...

Any chance of someone providing live feeds from the racist, bigot town meeting tonight?

Or did they need to send out a clarifying statement to ensure everyone understood the first meaning?

Anonymous said...

6:12 wrote:

"Did you read what the Chronicle of Higher Education article said was sent to Karla Holloway? Can you actually say that was not racist? Obviously not, so it must be a vast conspiracy in which the author conspired with the professor against the white men.

And you actually believe the people on this blog who say they will vote against Obama because of his name are not racists? Please, give us all a break."

Sir,

Yes, I read what was sent to Holloway. She should develop a thick skin if she wants to swim with the sharks.

The G88 are reprehensible because they will NOT engage in a dialogue. Name a place and a time and I will debate them until the water buffaloes, er, excuse me, the cows, come home.

==Lumpy Gravy

Anonymous said...

This latest alleged rape occurred at a historically black fraternity's house.

The Chronicle described the alleged attacker as black.

It will be interesting to see what the 88 have to say about racial politics now. . .

Anonymous said...

i hope the potbangers will appear in front of the black frat house and i hope the group of 88 drafts a new listening statement. but i won't hold my breath.

WINDBAG

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Anonymous said...

Sheesh- it's been 15 min since it was posted. KC does have a day job and is not required to screen posts as they arrive (thank God). Any regular reader of this blog sees posts deleted by him from time to time and doubtlessly this will be one of them.

It did occur to me that, were we having this conversation (all the commenters) in person- that if the author of the *dreaded* N-word post was themself an AfricanAmerican we would probably not be so shocked or take such execption. I find in interesting that we all probably assume that it was a white person who wrote it. I am uncomfortable with the fact that I have to admit a tinge of racisim in myself as aresult of that awareness.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Using the n word is low class, like cussin.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Off topic, I know, but Amanda Marcotte (the subject of a KC blog last week because of her obnoxious sarcastic remarks about the rape hoax) just resigned from the John Edwards campaign.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Plenty of comments pointing out the double standards in media reporting of white rapists vs. black rapists.
Remember though that out of control feminism is also a factor in this case. Perhaps there was no rape. The black suspect should be given the same presumption of innocence we are asking for the LAX players.

Anonymous said...

Professor Kenneth Surin is another literature professor in cultural anthropology. The course outline states "there is relatively little reading in this course." Three of the books in the course are by DHLawrence - could not find his CV - does not look that hard to me.

Anonymous said...

Trolls are using racist language in an attempt to embarrass Professor Johnson.

Anonymous said...

Goodbye Amanda Marcotte. May I never hear your name again you horrid, vile wretch.

Anonymous said...

Holy cow. What were doing for so many deletes? I thought Miss foul mouth would be gone by Friday. She was rehired on Thursday. This is Monday. Are we having fun?

M. Simon said...

1:23PM,

I've seen their ways too often for my liking.

Anonymous said...

Well, I missed all the posts that were deleted....what did I miss?

--Lumpy Gravy
(A Frank Zappa Album)

Anonymous said...

9:10 -

Give us a link...couldn't find it.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, KC. Unfortunately, some are abusing the blog, aided by provocateurs.

M. Simon said...

"To me it seems certain that the fatalistic teachings of Muhammad and the utter degradation of women is the outstanding cause for the arrested development of the Arab. He is exactly as he was around the year 700, while we have kept on developing"

-- General George S. Patton: The War as I Knew it

Anonymous said...

6:55 PM
"I would say that the 88 at least have some ability to think critically, an element clearly lacking in this blog."

As evidenced by 6:55 PM

The ability to see and condemn the blog and exclude oneself. True G88 nuance!

Anonymous said...

Irrelevant, but Amanda Marcotte has resigned.

Anonymous said...

Redundant too, see 9:10 & 9:23. :-))

Anonymous said...

"Now that Barack Obama has officially announced his candidacy for the White House, we can officially announce the kickoff of the most hackneyed take on his campaign from the Washington punditry. It's the Second Coming of 'Where's the Beef?' (the hole card of all boring old school politicians and analysts when faced with a captivating opponent or candidate). This soon-to-be-inescapable talking point was formally launched on this week's Meet the Press, where David Broder, the so-called Dean of the Washington Press Corps (is that sort of like being the captain of the Duke Lacrosse team?), "

Now it seems Arianna herself has decided the lax players are not only deserving of the scorn of left-wing loop-jobs, but from herself as well...

Michael said...

re: 10:06

as widely predicted, she couldn't help herself.

Anonymous said...

That quote came from Huffingtonpost.com and was written by Arianna Huffington

Anonymous said...

Marcotte's take on Pandagon


I was hired by the Edwards campaign for the skills and talents I bring to the table, and my willingness to work hard for what’s right. Unfortunately, Bill Donohue and his calvacade of right wing shills don’t respect that a mere woman like me could be hired for my skills, and pretended that John Edwards had to be held accountable for some of my personal, non-mainstream views on religious influence on politics (I’m anti-theocracy, for those who were keeping track). Bill Donohue—anti-Semite, right wing lackey whose entire job is to create non-controversies in order to derail liberal politics—has been running a scorched earth campaign to get me fired for my personal beliefs and my writings on this blog.

...

Anonymous said...

"has been running a scorched earth campaign to get me fired for my personal beliefs and my writings on this blog."

Well it must have worked. And Donohue is a weasel, not much better than Marcotte herself, but I firmly believe that Edwards, as a former North Carolina Senator, got a lot of heat about her comments on the hoax. They can blame Donohue all they like, but I'm sticking with the fact that Edwards didn't want to face off against North Carolinians, particulrly those of the Blue Devil persuasion.

Anonymous said...

Marcotte resigned, no? My guess is no, she didn't. She didn't jump, she was pushed. Pushed by a conspiracy? Hoist with the petard of her own words? Does it matter - she is gone, and by golly, her rapier wit shall be missed.

On to the next Edwards gaffe.

Anonymous said...

7:11 PM
"Prove she didn't send herself the email. You have 24 hours."

So what if she didn't... or if she got a dozen... or a ‘bucket of chicken’… something else stupid.

There are 300m people in the country that could have sent it. Yes, and some won't like you because you're black, white, pink, mocha, Jewish, Baptist, fat, skinny or bald.

Someone may send something stupid or racist or hateful… that's because they are.

But to carry on like this is some indication of the preponderance of your every day life is pure crap.

Everybody deals with fools and is unfairly touched by them occasionally. But to use this as a fig leaf for your own daily hateful spews should not stand.

Anonymous said...

anonymous 8:57
Perhaps the poster of the "n-word" was an inciter, trying to discredit this blog by making it appear as though those that participate are racist...it's a well known leftist tactic

Anonymous said...

What is wrong with the group of 88???? These people are a pathetic group of people much less professors. They act like spoiled rotten children. Where is their boss? They continue to embarrass our university!!!Please can someone shut them up!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I was going to guess that it was one of the 88 themselves, but the spelling was too good.

Anonymous said...

Isn't the Shut up and teach seminar on for tonight?

Anonymous said...

Now they show some humility over at Pandagon ... this is funny, it seems they are running into some 'technical difficulties'

"Whenever the site is up, we're flooded by asshat spammers. We'll just have to wait out the attack; rest assured we'll be back to normal as soon as possible. Thanks!"

Anonymous said...

9:17

I believe Kenneth Surin is a professor of literature and theology, not cultural anthropology.

The word Marx appears 11 times on his publications page, which tells us all we need to know.

beckett

Anonymous said...

9:17

Surin's a Brit, with a not overly impressive CV. He got a PhD from the University of Birmingham and a BA from the University of Reading.

beckett

Gary Packwood said...

Cedarford 11:39 PM

What on earth is a phony racist/misogynist/religious rigtwing kook strawman, please?

Do students have to pass tests on this silly stuff?

You kicked a young dude out of your house for using the n word?

Bedtime

Anonymous said...

You are right - Professor of Literature - my bad.

ptolemy said...

It is amazing to me that there has been apparently no coverage of this meeting in the mainstream media. It is lamost as if there is collusion between the MSM and the "Clarifiers" to avoid embarrassing stories about the latter.

As an academic, I am well aware that the true "fascists" threatening academic freedom and wishing to impose their sick world view on everyone else come almost entirely from the left. This episode is simply an illustration of that fact.

Anonymous said...

I am not amazed there was no coverage by the MSM. These folk are small potatoes to the real world. The only reason anyone outside of Duke knows who they are is because of the Lax case. However, we do have the ever alert blogesphere on the job. - thank God/

Anonymous said...

Getting back to the facts of the LAX frameup and the new mystery rape. My theory is that the second rape exposes the drug/sex industry in Durham. So shhhhhhhhhsh.