Civil Courage in Wisconsin

The Creeping Fascism of American Politics

FOCUS: States Unite Against Citizens United

Dimon's Deja Vu Debacle

Cut It Out: An Open Letter to Black Bloc Anarchists

This Is What Tyranny Looks Like

Anthony Grafton begins: "Universities don't seem to breed much civil courage these days. But the University of Wisconsin is a glorious exception to the rule. When the Republican Party of Wisconsin demanded e-mails sent by and to William Cronon, it was the university - which serves as the official 'record holder' for this purpose - rather than the individual professor that had to answer the request. It has now done so, with two lucid documents that show scrupulous concern for the rights of all involved."

The entrance to Democratic Rep. Brett Hulsey's office, covered in notes of support, at the Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin, 02/26/11. (photo: John Hart/Wisconsin State Journal/AP)

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+13 # giraffee2012 2011-04-04 00:10

Wisconsin will prove democracy can work even with the Kock brothers funding the extreme right to take democracy to levels lower than the place where the extreme right will spend eternity.

Vote in 2012 and remember the Dems are "for" the people and the right are "for" big $$ business (thank you again Supremes for finding that a Corp = a human for buying elections - even though one cannot marry a Corp)

+16 # Ralph Averill 2011-04-04 01:27

Good for UW! Good for Chancellor Martin for having the backbone to stand up to the forces of jack-booted fear and ignorance. Her position as chancellor of a state university is a political one and she takes a real risk in her defense of Cronon and academic freedom. Will the brown-shirted bullies in the Wisconsin legislature come after her next?

+14 # in deo veritas 2011-04-04 03:14

Philanthropy is a good thing when directed where needed. Not the case with the Koches. They are doing far more harm to the country through their conniving political intrigues and pollution that endanger this and future generations. They oppose everything that is needed toget our nation back on track. No wonder they are the poster old men for the insatiable greed of Wall Streeters for money and power. We are back to where we were when the railroad magnates and other robber barons controlled government from 1868 to 1914. Thanks to this article I know more products that I and my friends can boycott.

+7 # Ralph Averill 2011-04-04 06:08

Philanthropy is giving back a little tiny bit of that which was stolen in the first place. Given that it is also a tax deduction reduces the "charity" even more.
The Koch brothers donate to CPB. But they haven't spoken up to defend federal support. So how much do they really care about it?

+15 # genierae 2011-04-04 04:31

It is refreshing to know that there are some universities in this country that haven't been taken hostage and dumbed down by Republican ideologues. The death of new ideas is their main objective, and they have succeeded far too well. I pray that the new consciousness that is sweeping this country will resuscitate those institutions that have been Republicanized, and we will once again have a truly democratic culture of higher learning.

+2 # genierae 2011-04-04 05:07

There are more than 1,000 rallies to support workers' rights in all 50 states and several foreign countries that have been scheduled on and around April 4th. To see if there's one near you, go to: http://local.we-r-1.org.

+3 # Buckles 2011-04-04 08:03

If I were Prof. Cronon and had to give up those e-mails, they would have recieved the computer after it had been in a shredder. Republican key stone cops?

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