NYT readers respond to Krugman's column on conservatism & academia

[checks-n-balances]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/07/opinion/l07krugman.html?pagewanted=print&position=

IMO, the first and last ones are the best:

April 7, 2005
Left and Right in the Ivory Tower (6 Letters)

To the Editor:

Paul Krugman ("An Academic Question," column, April 5) is correct that the lack of conservative faculty members in college is caused not through bias but by deficiencies in conservative ideology.

From the laissez-faire, anti-unionism of late-19th-century Republicans to the melding of those trends in today's neoconservative movement, the result of conservative ideology has almost always been deleterious for the majority of Americans.

Academics look at evidence and come to conclusions. Today's conservatives start with a conclusion and then try to find anything to support that conclusion to the exclusion of all contrary evidence. Their arguments tend to fall apart under the lightest scrutiny.

It is no wonder that the vast majority of well-educated academics are "liberal."

XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX, Pa., April 6, 2005

•

To the Editor:

In your April 5 issue, we learn that the Republicans are trying to use legislation to curb free speech at universities ("An Academic Question," column by Paul Krugman) and to muzzle the judiciary ("Attacking a Free Judiciary," editorial).

The Democrats appear to lack the agility and the strength to contain what amounts to a multipronged insurgency against our Constitution. I fear deeply for our nation.

XXXXXX XXXXXX
XXXXXX, N.J., April 6, 2005

[Demit]

1. Here's a good one too--

"As a (left-leaning) college history professor, I am bemused by accusations that I am trying to indoctrinate my students with my progressive ideals. If I had that kind of influence, all my students would do the reading every week, proofread their papers meticulously and attend every class. (They don't.)"

[checks-n-balances]

2. Yeah, I liked that one too

I didn't think I could include it but thanks for posting it!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

6. Yes, if you want to see that kind of influence you have to

look at the athletic coaches or the fraternity/sorority rules.

Students will happily skip class or slough off on the reading, but they will do everything their coach says, no matter how inconvenient or arduous.

They will avoid doing homework if it interferes with a Greek activity. In many cases, their organization fines them if they miss an activity.

Some of us professors were sitting around once wishing we had that kind lf influence--and the power to fine students for sloughing off: five dollars for missing class, twenty dollars for missing a test. :-)

[Demit]

7. LOL! Trouble is, the kids would happily pay it.

[Zenlitened]

3. Boy, that one phrase really resonates with me:

The Democrats appear to lack the agility and the strength to contain what amounts to a multipronged insurgency against our Constitution. I fear deeply for our nation.

Agility and strength. Two qualities we've got to build up.

And maybe that would be a good overarching theme: Democrats are defending our constitution, and all the freedoms and opportunities that make America what it its.

[Demit]

4. They may not be agile but they certainly can bend over backwards

to avoid controversy, most of them. Some notable exceptions.

[Zenlitened]

5. Yeah, really. And we even have a sizable contingent here on DU...

... making the "let's stay quiet and let the repubs self-descruct" argument.

Because that's worked out so well so far. Argh! Americans want someone to step up to the plate and swing the bat, not cower in the shadows hoping things work out. :grr:

[Skittles]

8. OOH Carl Sagan

many years ago I used to listen to a talk radio show late at night to put me to sleep. But every time they had Carl Sagan on I would end up wide-eyed, way awake, contemplating the mysteries of the universe. That guy was one of the few ultra-geniuses who could easily impart his knowledge in layman's terms and keep his audience riveted. :thumbsup: