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Texas A&M suspended professor accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Patrick in lecture

texastribune.org

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Re: Texas A&M suspended professor accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Patrick in lecture

#131

Post by vel0city »

mikeyouse wrote: post #34

It's worth knowing more details than the headline here: 1. Professor Joy Alonzo, who's an expert in Opiod harm-reduction gave a talk where according to all accounts, she mildly critiqued the Lt. Governor and state's preferences for punitive approaches for drug control and that they are considered Federal non-reporters on Opioid stats since they don't collect the data required. 2. Dawn Buckingham, the TX Land Commissi…

I don't like the actions taken here, but I wouldn't say its that clear cut of a case.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garcetti_v._Ceballos

When its a government employee saying things in the course of their job, their speech is not protected. Had the professor made remarks about the Lt. Governor as a private citizen and not as a state employee actively doing a state job, I'd agree its a clear cut 1st amendment violation. But that's not what happened, so I don't know it would be that clear.

Re: Texas A&M suspended professor accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Patrick in lecture

#133

Post by smsm42 »

amanaplanacanal wrote: post #111
confoundcofound wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is what happens when free speech is not valued and defended throughout our culture. Politics is downstream from culture. When we are OK with, and often encouraging of, private censorship, we shift the Overton window and provide moral cover for politicians and government entities to further consolidate power. This story is a prime example. People who peddle the argument that the 1st amendment only protects you fr…

everybody (to a first approximation) supports private censorship. If you come into my house and insult my family or friends, or start in on a racist tirade, I’m kicking you out. Are there people who really wouldn’t do this?

I think when we have the government having regular meetings with major social networks, instructing them who to ban and which topics to exclude from discussion, and when we have the pipeline from foreign security services through the US government to the all major social networks which allow them to ban anybody without as little as cursory review - we are way, way beyond "family and friends" situation here.

Re: Texas A&M suspended professor accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Patrick in lecture

#135

Post by burnte »

marcusverus wrote: post #50
Animats wrote: post #26

Crackdowns on free speech are increasing worldwide. Afghanistan, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Florida, Texas... Israel just reached the using fire hoses on protestors level.[1] [1] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/25/world/middleeast/israel-j...

Don't forget California, where faculty is effectively required to engage in progressive political speech! https://archive.is/VDNPj

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Re: Texas A&M suspended professor accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Patrick in lecture

#136

Post by smsm42 »

whynotmaybe wrote: post #125
confoundcofound wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is what happens when free speech is not valued and defended throughout our culture. Politics is downstream from culture. When we are OK with, and often encouraging of, private censorship, we shift the Overton window and provide moral cover for politicians and government entities to further consolidate power. This story is a prime example. People who peddle the argument that the 1st amendment only protects you fr…

Free speech doesn't mean free of consequences of your speech. You can say whatever you want but if it offends your employer, don't be surprised if they fire you.

[flagged]

Re: Texas A&M suspended professor accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Patrick in lecture

#138

Post by rsynnott »

harshreality wrote: post #6

> Neither UTMB nor Texas A&M would confirm what Alonzo said that prompted such a reaction, and UTMB students interviewed by the Tribune recalled a vague reference to Patrick’s office but nothing specific. Without knowing what was allegedly said, this is difficult to judge, although I would certainly be inclined to side with the professor given what's been reported so far. Professors should be given wide latitude to d…

> On the other hand, if she made a snide comment about the TX Lt. Governor without grounding it in policy, that's not good.

How does this particular form of Lese Majeste work? Is it all elected politicians? Just those in the ruling party? Of the state, or federal too? If the Lt Governor's policies are in conflict with the federal government's policies, must she sing the praises of both him and Biden? If he loses the next election, must she turn on a dime and denounce him? If Dear Leader makes a policy u-turn, must all lecture recordings and publications praising the old, wrongthink policy be destroyed?

As I mentioned elsewhere, all very Soviet. They should get some old Russian academics who were around for de-Stalinisation in to give training on how to navigate these awkward matters.

Re: Texas A&M suspended professor accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Patrick in lecture

#139

Post by celu »

burnte wrote: post #135
marcusverus wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't forget California, where faculty is effectively required to engage in progressive political speech! https://archive.is/VDNPj

[flagged]

Many people believe what they teach works toward equality for all citizens, many people believe it undermines equality.

Regardless, teaching one side of a current controversy as fact in mandatory school is manipulation.

Re: Texas A&M suspended professor accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Patrick in lecture

#140

Post by SauciestGNU »

LispSporks22 wrote: post #106
neilv wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do tech workers in Texas cities like Austin feel about being under that?

Tech worker in Austin here. I'd like to throw Abbott and Patrick in the Rio Grande.

Into the concertina wire, or into the more dangerous areas deliberately left unfortified as to increase the likelihood of migrants dying during crossing?
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