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So today I got another long-winded email from the University Chancellor, saying some blah blah blah about the "unprecedented" national situation, and how we must "uphold our core values", and that they are working soooooo hard to "assess the situation" so that we can "respond appropriately".
I seem to remember the same thing happening in 2016 when Trump got elected last time, compelte with offers for psychological counseling and whatnot.
What is it about institutional leaders that makes them feel the need to have a public group therapy session every time Trump gets elected? I didn't see this level of handwringing when Biden got elected and turned our borders into a free for all. Heck, I didn't even get such a long email about the wildfires in LA which directly affects much more people at my university.
What the heck. dude
The blob can sense that it's under threat.
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They need to take a chill pill. They survived 2016-2020, they'll survive 2024-2028.
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USAID survived the first term, too. If the Department of Ed gets the axe, which seems to actually be under consideration, there will be fallout for all of academia.
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56 sats \ 0 replies \ @kepford 18h
Man I hope it gets that axe. If it does this USAID response will be nothing compared to that
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64 sats \ 9 replies \ @Aardvark 18h
What's your over under on the dept of ed getting axed? I'm pretty hopeful personally.
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42 sats \ 0 replies \ @nichro 15h
I bet they shoot a threat on DoE so that they can at least land on pushing school choice/voucher.
But chopping DoE would be great. If it can't be abolished, put it on a heavy dose of Ozembic.
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I think I'd take the over if we're saying 50/50. The right has always talked about it and now they're actually doing serious stuff.
Not as many people are going to college and parents have never been more down on government education.
I hope they go through all the humiliating revelations, like with USAID, before cutting it, though.
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I'm gonna take the under. I don't know for sure, but my sense is that it fills too many logistically critical functions to just cut it. Things like basic accreditation, student loan programs, etc. I'm not saying these functions should be handled by the Dept. of Ed., only that I don't think they can be unraveled in 4 years without causing so much chaos in the system that even Trump will balk.
I do think a lot of programs and funding will get chopped.
47 sats \ 0 replies \ @Aardvark 18h
God wouldn't that be nice. Just peel them back like an onion and let everyone see all the bullshit.
My vote for next agency... the IRS. There's been odd shit going on at least as far back as Obama with them selectively enforcing tax code.
Oh, stop giving us hope bro!!
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27 sats \ 0 replies \ @Aardvark 18h
I told you to watch it when you're talking about my mom... 🤨
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Everyone is tired of it except the people so wrapped up in it that they see it as normal. Most of us are just like "yeah I get it, you don't like him, now leave me alone about it." Their constant expectation that everyone be outraged is probably a big reason the guy won.
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Exactly, the hyperventilating turns me off so much. Don't they realize that acting dramatic in the face of adversity is pathetic and not helpful? Can you imagine a coach acting like that after the team lost a game or had a run of bad luck? Or a general?
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No email about the wildfires but pearl clutching over Trump
Uphold our core values including money from USAID and Dept of Education and National Sci Foundation
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It's comms to their handlers, an affirmation of fealty now that territory has become contested... requisite for their appointment to that title, one responsible for managing kickbacks/donations to the institution
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haha I love it. I’ve been watching too much of feral historian because I read this post entirely with his voice in my head.
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Trump derangement syndrome sits deep in the intelligentsia's heart
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30 sats \ 0 replies \ @kepford 18h
The state is their god. A heretic was installed at the top. The religious overtones are so obvious to me.
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30 sats \ 2 replies \ @Aardvark 18h
Needing therapy due to an election result is a pretty good argument for bringing back bullying.
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You might have a point. I feel like bullying isn't as prevalent as it used to be, judging from my kids' schools. That's a good thing. But it seems like people have become somewhat fragile psychologically
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30 sats \ 0 replies \ @Aardvark 18h
I was bullied, and honestly, it's probably better that it's gone, but still. This is soft by any standard.
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