Maybe -- just maybe-- this is the start of a new phase, and we can invoke a famous quote of Winston Churchill, spoken in response to the great British victory against Rommel at the Battle of El Alamein:
This is not the end. It's not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps the end of the beginning.
Maybe those in positions in power have come to realize that appeasing a bully doesn't make the bully go away happy. It just shows the bully that you can be intimidated, so the bully keeps coming back, demanding more each time. The only way to respond to bullies is to stand up to them.
Might I add that we shall fight MAGA on the beaches, we shall fight MAGA on the landing grounds, we shall fight MAGA in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight MAGA in the hills; we shall never surrender to MAGA!
Stephen, while I would like to see "The Big One" experience the Big One, I try to keep in mind that "never Trump" Vance would be next in line, and he's young, apparently healthy, and would be eligible for future reelection. The only upside would be that he probably couldn't compete with The Big One's intimidation factor.
Stephen, you're correct. Negative charisma is a good description, and I can't see JDCA keeping MAGA in his thrall. Hmmm, maybe the Big One experiencing the Big One could have a positive ending after all. Thanks!
100% agree. JD has no charisma, has no self-identity due to his fractious upbringing, has very little political insight and knowledge, and simply cannot and would not be able to have a cult lead him anywhere except perhaps to the local bathroom. I simply don't see it in him. He truly is a nothing, in every way. Says the stupidest things, although I don't think he is stupid, just an uninformed politician and follower instead of a doer. There is a reason why he couldn't hold a job for more than a few years, skipped around between the military, the legal profession, the financial sector, then politics. The guy doesn't know himself whatsoever in my opinion, and his Lady MacBeth wife keeps breathing encouragement in his ears.
Anyone ever read “if you give a mouse a cookie”? It’s a cute kids book, but I used it to talk to my kids about giving in to a bully. I truly truly truly have a hard time comprehending why anyone has been giving in- (abc and other news outlets etc) - I mean I get it- shareholder dollars etc - but for the purposes of this quick post- don’t they know he’ll just keep coming for more?!!!
We used to be proud of our top institution on their academic excellency. Now we are finding out that we can also be proud of their commitment to stand firm on their mission principles when threatened. We must thank Trump and MAGA for revealing our true strength to stand for democracy.
If the University of Texas (UT) signs on to the Trump bribe, then UT will likely become a university with only Texas residents applying. No.one from out if state will want to have anything to do with it.
Yes. And if only news consumers would take the same stance: We won't patronize news organization which cave to this president. We'll avoid purchasing goods and services from corporations who bend the knee to this unprincipled bully.
Their best, brightest faculty will flee. That's a death spiral, because then the university won't be able to attract the best, brightest undergrad and graduate students, researchers and faculty. SAD.
Yes. University of Texas is an excellent system of education and research. This is sad, indeed. I suspect this decision was not made by those at UT, though. This reeks of Gov. Abbott.
Gov. Newsome said that any state univ. in CA would lose its state $$$ if they sign this blackmail note. Not sure that it's good to become a kindred bully but I guess it may be one of the few says people have of making a point.
Governor Newsom is bringing a gun to a gunfight. This kind of response from the Democrats is long overdue and should be commended. This is no time to clutch one's pearls and fret about being too harsh.
Like voting yes on Proposition 50, CA is fighting back. I live in CA and don't want my tax dollars nor my consumer dollars going to the Felon's administration in his making the United States an authoritarian theocracy (Putin's Russia).
I wonder if Gov Newsome has the authority to withhold funds? After all, constitutionally, Trump does not. I don’t doubt he could enlist those who do have the authority, though. And I do appreciate his stance and approach. He and Gov. Pritzker are doing a great job punching back and holding the line. (And inspiring the public.)
Thank you for pointing out what I already know. "Alumni" is the plural used as a term for people who have studied at this or that university. As I'm sure you know.
I'm sure you also appreciate that I do not think a TU alumnus has a microgram of knowledge on "old dead" languages.
although, do we not refer to ourselves as an alumni of fill in the blank university ? I don't hear people use I am an alumnus...common usage and all...
That may be true, but what will their anti-DEI stance do to UTE{P. That campus has probably a majority of Hispanic students, because they have been focused on helping more Hispanics to get a good education and to have better lives.
Would UTEP be likely to discriminate against Hispanic applicants? I lived there briefly 30+ years ago, but I don’t know much about the makeup of the student body, then or now. Addendum: their pool of applicants might very well have a higher (or very high) concentration of Hispanics, no?
I'm not entirely sure what UTEP would do. Given that the city is about 85% Hispanic, and that they have focused on helping those students, I'm not entirely sure they would change. I don't know what the current student makeup is, but it seems like they might go out of business if they couldn't have Hispanic students.
Science must be based on merit. The core of exploring basic science is based on that. And basic science is the USA prime asset. It is what we do best in the world; it is the foundation of all the breakthroughs that make us the world leader in science, Nobel prizes and innovation. Biomedical research is one thing that makes America great now. Don't throw it away. Thank you MIT. Thank you.
I totally agree. I am giving money today to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. I’m not a scientist but I sure appreciate what they do. And I live in Boston area where there are many fine institutions that accomplish those things. Now I just read in somebody else’s sub stack this morning that Trump is taking the money from the 2026 science research grant to universities and using it to pay the soldiers who are unpaid during the shutdown. In contravention of all kinds of laws against such takings.
I am grateful you have alerted your readers to the universities that have given Trump a failing grade. His bullying hasn't slimmed down since he likely tried it as a privileged youth. I hope all alumni of those courgeous campuses stand up and support their alma mater. They have given a lesson more precious than all of the textbooks you were instructed to read and may still be untouched on your bookshelves.
And even then they don’t give up on some of the crazier stuff they believe. When they could vote with the Dems, they still don’t even know they’re not up for reelection. It shows you how intractable this problem is within the Republican Party.E
I feel such pride and admiration for the universities, journalists, etc. in their courage, but also in their rights, to reject someone who hardly graduated from undergrad school without "cheating" I am sure!! Go For It! And Yes we will be at the No Kings Day #2 Protests tomorrow!
How wonderful and affirming to hear that schools and companies (airports) are finally taking a stand that the republican congress still doesn’t have the spine for. And yes, Ivan Tufaart, the quote of Churchill hopefully fits as well. “This is not the end. It’s not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Let us all pray that it is so.
The brazen violation of the Hatch Act is the regime's thumbing it's nose at the law. They are not above it, trying as their might. Where are the courts asserting their authority to enjoin the bullies from the outrageous violations and demand the removal of the offending posts?
The only basic “economics” that criminal moron bastard in the White House has ever tried to carry out is simple extortion, racketeering and bribery.
You don’t get convicted of business fraud 34 times in a row by being either a genius or an angel.
As far as those greedy, pathetic, wussy excuses for universities who keep trying to pay this sunovabitch off, or butter him up, or flatter him up goes — didn’t they figure out in grade school that if you give a dumb bully your lunch money on Monday, he’ll be back for more by Thursday at the latest?
I would not be too quick to sing the praises of the Dartmouth College President. As a Dartmouth Alum, I can tell you that President Beilock has been less than a profile in courage. Shortly after Trump's innauguration, the college hired as its GC, the GC of the RNC who had just written a defense of Trump's birthright citizenship EO (and the college defended his work as scholarly). Beilock has taken meetings with Harmeet Dillon at Justice and has used every communication with alumni and students to hem, haw and obfuscate her position. Thus far, the comments you attribute to her were not issued by her but were leaked to The Chronicle of Higher Ed anonymously and included the statement she would not sign the compact "in it's current form." A letter sent to alums on Wednesday night said that was continuing the dialogue with other institutions on the list. Well MIT, Brown, and Penn have all said no, and Dartmouth continues to say nothing of substance. President Beilock speaks often of Brave Spaces where all on campus can voice their opinions. Sadly, she has not recognized the moment we are in and what it demands of institutions like Dartmouth through either intellectual dishonesty or cowardice or both. It's well past time for her to take a BRAVE stand.
Anyone who agrees with Trump's birthright citizenship EO has not actually read the US Constitution, let alone the many Supreme Court opinions saying that it means what it says. An attorney who tries to defend this position? Yikes.
Looking at you Columbia. A university with a broad range of international programs and students and faculty from all over the world should respect the support that the Columbia community has worked so hard to give you.
Universities bent the knee to McCarthy, providing him with lists of those suspected of Communism whom he could persecute without proof. They also summarily fired faculty perceived as leftist. No need to recall Hollywood's notorious black list or the Murrow fight with CBS owners and advertisers when he took on McCarthy. Courage is contagious, but there has to be a start to courage. May MIT, law firms, news media, corporations, and WE THE PEOPLE be congratulated for standing against Nazi destroyers of democracy!
Maybe -- just maybe-- this is the start of a new phase, and we can invoke a famous quote of Winston Churchill, spoken in response to the great British victory against Rommel at the Battle of El Alamein:
This is not the end. It's not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps the end of the beginning.
Maybe those in positions in power have come to realize that appeasing a bully doesn't make the bully go away happy. It just shows the bully that you can be intimidated, so the bully keeps coming back, demanding more each time. The only way to respond to bullies is to stand up to them.
Might I add that we shall fight MAGA on the beaches, we shall fight MAGA on the landing grounds, we shall fight MAGA in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight MAGA in the hills; we shall never surrender to MAGA!
A million small acts (and not so small acts of defiance) adds up. Who knows - the frustration could finally bring on tRump's 'Big One'.
Stephen, while I would like to see "The Big One" experience the Big One, I try to keep in mind that "never Trump" Vance would be next in line, and he's young, apparently healthy, and would be eligible for future reelection. The only upside would be that he probably couldn't compete with The Big One's intimidation factor.
I know, but JD Couch-Abuser truly has negative charisma. I believe he could accidentally break up the MAGA coalition.
Stephen, you're correct. Negative charisma is a good description, and I can't see JDCA keeping MAGA in his thrall. Hmmm, maybe the Big One experiencing the Big One could have a positive ending after all. Thanks!
He truly is one of the most repellant politicians in our Country (and he has a lot of competition).
Right again, Stephen, and considering the constant din from the competition, that's really saying a lot.
100% agree. JD has no charisma, has no self-identity due to his fractious upbringing, has very little political insight and knowledge, and simply cannot and would not be able to have a cult lead him anywhere except perhaps to the local bathroom. I simply don't see it in him. He truly is a nothing, in every way. Says the stupidest things, although I don't think he is stupid, just an uninformed politician and follower instead of a doer. There is a reason why he couldn't hold a job for more than a few years, skipped around between the military, the legal profession, the financial sector, then politics. The guy doesn't know himself whatsoever in my opinion, and his Lady MacBeth wife keeps breathing encouragement in his ears.
If the saying "the good die young" is true then that b*st*rd will live to be one hundred fifty!
Some people are too mean to die, as my mother used to say.
Not if his health is as bad as it looks to be. I don't think he could run a country on life support, because he likely wouldn't be able to talk.
Anyone ever read “if you give a mouse a cookie”? It’s a cute kids book, but I used it to talk to my kids about giving in to a bully. I truly truly truly have a hard time comprehending why anyone has been giving in- (abc and other news outlets etc) - I mean I get it- shareholder dollars etc - but for the purposes of this quick post- don’t they know he’ll just keep coming for more?!!!
We used to be proud of our top institution on their academic excellency. Now we are finding out that we can also be proud of their commitment to stand firm on their mission principles when threatened. We must thank Trump and MAGA for revealing our true strength to stand for democracy.
Give them a finger and they'll want the whole hand.
"The only way to respond to bullies is to stand up to them."
Sure, while simultaneously holding their hand out for federal dollars. That's some show of courage.
Those federal dollars come from us. That's OUR money.
"Those federal dollars come from us. That's OUR money."
Agreed. So why do these wealthy "higher centers of learning" need it? They didn't used to.
If the University of Texas (UT) signs on to the Trump bribe, then UT will likely become a university with only Texas residents applying. No.one from out if state will want to have anything to do with it.
Yes. And if only news consumers would take the same stance: We won't patronize news organization which cave to this president. We'll avoid purchasing goods and services from corporations who bend the knee to this unprincipled bully.
Their best, brightest faculty will flee. That's a death spiral, because then the university won't be able to attract the best, brightest undergrad and graduate students, researchers and faculty. SAD.
Yes. University of Texas is an excellent system of education and research. This is sad, indeed. I suspect this decision was not made by those at UT, though. This reeks of Gov. Abbott.
Gov. Newsome said that any state univ. in CA would lose its state $$$ if they sign this blackmail note. Not sure that it's good to become a kindred bully but I guess it may be one of the few says people have of making a point.
Governor Newsom is bringing a gun to a gunfight. This kind of response from the Democrats is long overdue and should be commended. This is no time to clutch one's pearls and fret about being too harsh.
Like voting yes on Proposition 50, CA is fighting back. I live in CA and don't want my tax dollars nor my consumer dollars going to the Felon's administration in his making the United States an authoritarian theocracy (Putin's Russia).
I wonder if Gov Newsome has the authority to withhold funds? After all, constitutionally, Trump does not. I don’t doubt he could enlist those who do have the authority, though. And I do appreciate his stance and approach. He and Gov. Pritzker are doing a great job punching back and holding the line. (And inspiring the public.)
Like x100!
No sane woman from out of state would want to attend college or university in Texas anyway, if she values her bodily autonomy.
"Hi, I'm an alumni of UT! I hold a major in barbecuing and a major in chasing Spanish speaking people!!!"
Texas is probably the only state where football is a legitimate major for boys, and baton-twirling is a legitimate major for girls.
no reading required
Actually, you are an alumnus (male, Latin singular). You might, however, belong to the university's 'alumni' association.
Thank you for pointing out what I already know. "Alumni" is the plural used as a term for people who have studied at this or that university. As I'm sure you know.
I'm sure you also appreciate that I do not think a TU alumnus has a microgram of knowledge on "old dead" languages.
But thanks for reacting anyway.
too serious Steve
Just going for accuracy. Marc said 'I am an an alumni', which is totally singular.
Maybe he was making the point that UT alums wouldn't have a sensitivity for Latin?
although, do we not refer to ourselves as an alumni of fill in the blank university ? I don't hear people use I am an alumnus...common usage and all...
OK, sorry I opened my big mouth. The college that I went to differentiated between alumnus, alumnae, and alumni.
I totally agree with you and it will happen in other State Colleges and Universities!
I thought tu had already caved. But it doesn't matter because MAGA has taken control of it, Tech and A& M.
Like x 100!
That may be true, but what will their anti-DEI stance do to UTE{P. That campus has probably a majority of Hispanic students, because they have been focused on helping more Hispanics to get a good education and to have better lives.
Would UTEP be likely to discriminate against Hispanic applicants? I lived there briefly 30+ years ago, but I don’t know much about the makeup of the student body, then or now. Addendum: their pool of applicants might very well have a higher (or very high) concentration of Hispanics, no?
I'm not entirely sure what UTEP would do. Given that the city is about 85% Hispanic, and that they have focused on helping those students, I'm not entirely sure they would change. I don't know what the current student makeup is, but it seems like they might go out of business if they couldn't have Hispanic students.
Like x100!!
Science must be based on merit. The core of exploring basic science is based on that. And basic science is the USA prime asset. It is what we do best in the world; it is the foundation of all the breakthroughs that make us the world leader in science, Nobel prizes and innovation. Biomedical research is one thing that makes America great now. Don't throw it away. Thank you MIT. Thank you.
I totally agree. I am giving money today to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. I’m not a scientist but I sure appreciate what they do. And I live in Boston area where there are many fine institutions that accomplish those things. Now I just read in somebody else’s sub stack this morning that Trump is taking the money from the 2026 science research grant to universities and using it to pay the soldiers who are unpaid during the shutdown. In contravention of all kinds of laws against such takings.
Yes, HCR talked about it and it’s extremely dangerous and illegal!
I belong too and live south of Boston. Just fight on. No matter what.
I am grateful you have alerted your readers to the universities that have given Trump a failing grade. His bullying hasn't slimmed down since he likely tried it as a privileged youth. I hope all alumni of those courgeous campuses stand up and support their alma mater. They have given a lesson more precious than all of the textbooks you were instructed to read and may still be untouched on your bookshelves.
I cut all ties to Texas A&M as they have gone full MAGA.
This is so heartening to read! And kudos to Massie, he is spot on!
We need more Massie’s!
Be careful what you ask for-- Massie's politics run toward not just conservative, but crazy conservative.
Regarding Epstein and bribing universities, it just proves the old saying that a stopped clock is right twice each day!
I’m not wishing for it, believe me, I don’t trust him or the other conservatives. But like you said the stop clock
Alas, he felt the need to announce his resignation before he really felt his oats.
And even then they don’t give up on some of the crazier stuff they believe. When they could vote with the Dems, they still don’t even know they’re not up for reelection. It shows you how intractable this problem is within the Republican Party.E
WE ARE THE PATRIOTS and we say NO KINGS!!
I feel such pride and admiration for the universities, journalists, etc. in their courage, but also in their rights, to reject someone who hardly graduated from undergrad school without "cheating" I am sure!! Go For It! And Yes we will be at the No Kings Day #2 Protests tomorrow!
How wonderful and affirming to hear that schools and companies (airports) are finally taking a stand that the republican congress still doesn’t have the spine for. And yes, Ivan Tufaart, the quote of Churchill hopefully fits as well. “This is not the end. It’s not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Let us all pray that it is so.
Praying is fine, but it is also passive. We need to continue to work to make Churchill's words a reality.
Yes, Indeed. I never would have suggested that prayer was the only solution. Action is what will make it so. ;-)
The brazen violation of the Hatch Act is the regime's thumbing it's nose at the law. They are not above it, trying as their might. Where are the courts asserting their authority to enjoin the bullies from the outrageous violations and demand the removal of the offending posts?
The only basic “economics” that criminal moron bastard in the White House has ever tried to carry out is simple extortion, racketeering and bribery.
You don’t get convicted of business fraud 34 times in a row by being either a genius or an angel.
As far as those greedy, pathetic, wussy excuses for universities who keep trying to pay this sunovabitch off, or butter him up, or flatter him up goes — didn’t they figure out in grade school that if you give a dumb bully your lunch money on Monday, he’ll be back for more by Thursday at the latest?
I would not be too quick to sing the praises of the Dartmouth College President. As a Dartmouth Alum, I can tell you that President Beilock has been less than a profile in courage. Shortly after Trump's innauguration, the college hired as its GC, the GC of the RNC who had just written a defense of Trump's birthright citizenship EO (and the college defended his work as scholarly). Beilock has taken meetings with Harmeet Dillon at Justice and has used every communication with alumni and students to hem, haw and obfuscate her position. Thus far, the comments you attribute to her were not issued by her but were leaked to The Chronicle of Higher Ed anonymously and included the statement she would not sign the compact "in it's current form." A letter sent to alums on Wednesday night said that was continuing the dialogue with other institutions on the list. Well MIT, Brown, and Penn have all said no, and Dartmouth continues to say nothing of substance. President Beilock speaks often of Brave Spaces where all on campus can voice their opinions. Sadly, she has not recognized the moment we are in and what it demands of institutions like Dartmouth through either intellectual dishonesty or cowardice or both. It's well past time for her to take a BRAVE stand.
Anyone who agrees with Trump's birthright citizenship EO has not actually read the US Constitution, let alone the many Supreme Court opinions saying that it means what it says. An attorney who tries to defend this position? Yikes.
Looking at you Columbia. A university with a broad range of international programs and students and faculty from all over the world should respect the support that the Columbia community has worked so hard to give you.
Bravo to MIT and its followers. And bravo to your wonderful piece.
Delicious irony. The institution to which Herr Drumpf boasts of a connection via his uncle, has rejected him. And while we're at it, Go Quakers!
It's time for everyone to pull a Nancy Reagan and "Just say, NO!"
Universities bent the knee to McCarthy, providing him with lists of those suspected of Communism whom he could persecute without proof. They also summarily fired faculty perceived as leftist. No need to recall Hollywood's notorious black list or the Murrow fight with CBS owners and advertisers when he took on McCarthy. Courage is contagious, but there has to be a start to courage. May MIT, law firms, news media, corporations, and WE THE PEOPLE be congratulated for standing against Nazi destroyers of democracy!