Bacon's Rebellion

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Glenn Loury Highlights Jefferson Council Event

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James A. Bacon
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Glenn Loury

Glenn Loury is one of the foremost African-American intellectuals in the country. No, actually, that’s selling him short. He’s one of the foremost intellectuals – period — in America. As an economics professor at Brown University, an author, a columnist, a podcaster, and a self-described “liberal who has been mugged by reality,” he has emerged as a leading conservative voice in the debate over Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

I saw Loury in action at an American Council of Trustees and Alumni event last year, and I can tell you, he is phenomenal. DEI in higher education, he charges, makes African-American students think of themselves as victims, deprives them of agency, and induces passivity and fragility. He also makes the case for Black patriotism. Black people, he says, are blessed to be Americans.

That’s not to say America is perfect. Persistent racial inequality is real, he says. But the higher-ed panaceas of “anti-racism” and DEI are grievously flawed.

As the keynote speaker of The Jefferson Council’s April 4 annual meeting, Loury will explain what’s wrong with DEI, suggest what can be done about it, and stand up for the founding fathers, the American Constitution, and the American democratic system that has created unparalleled opportunity for Blacks in the 21st century.

If you aren’t familiar with Loury’s writings, we recommend his essay, “The Case for Black Patriotism.”

We have a fabulous line-up of speakers addressing the threats to free speech and intellectual diversity at the University of Virginia and nationally, and how The Jefferson Council and other alumni organizations are fighting back.

To attend register here.

Here is our speaker line-up:Bert Ellis,

president emeritus: Welcome and Overview

Allan Stam, professor, University of Virginia Batten Institute for Leadership: “What’s at Stake, a National Perspective”

Connor Murnane, director of engagement and mobilization at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression: “Culture or Codes: Promoting Free Expression on Campus”

Chuck Davis, president of the Alumni Free Speech Alliance: “Universities United to Support Free Speech, Academic Freedom, and Viewpoint Diversity”

Joel Gardner: attorney, investment banker, author, and member of UVa Committee on Free Expression and Free Inquiry: “Where We Were; Where We Are Now; and Where We Need to Be”

Ann McLean, chair of The Jefferson Council Student Liaison Committee: “Student Perspectives. Testimonials from Libby Klinger, Ian Schwartz, Skylar Jackman, Lauren Horan, Paul Deeton, Vidar Hageman, and Nick Cabrera”

Jim Bacon, Jefferson Council executive director: “How The Jefferson Council is Building a Coalition of Pluralism at UVa”

Tom Neale, Jefferson Council president: Looking Ahead

Marion Smith, president of the Common Sense Society

Glenn Loury, keynote speaker: “Addressing Black Inequality, Embracing Black Patriotism”

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148 responses to “Glenn Loury Highlights Jefferson Council Event”

  1. DJRippert Avatar
    DJRippert

    3:00 to 9:00 on a Tuesday, in Charlottesville? Don’t any of you people have jobs?

    I’d like to attend. I’ll see if I can rearrange my work schedule.

    I particularly liked Loury’s letter in defense of Clarence Thomas:

    https://www.ceousa.org/2022/07/14/an-open-letter-denouncing-the-attacks-on-justice-clarence-thomas/

    1. Nancy Naive Avatar
      Nancy Naive

      Any letter in defense of Thomas has to be a hoot.

      What’s on my Coke can?

    2. Rosie Avatar
      Rosie

      I imagine this site has its share of retirees.

    3. Nancy Naive Avatar
      Nancy Naive

      Any letter in defense of Thomas has to be a hoot.

      What’s on my Coke can?

  2. M. Purdy Avatar
    M. Purdy

    “Persistent racial inequality is real, [Loury] says.” Is this also the Jefferson’s Council’s position?

    1. Lefty665 Avatar
      Lefty665

      Intentionally misrepresenting Loury is cheap stuff. You know better and can do better.

      America if far from perfect, we all know that, and know we need to do more. The quote from Loury in JABs post is far more representative, that he is a “liberal who has been mugged by reality,”.

      I encourage you to listen to some of Loury’s podcasts with John McWhorter.

    2. James A. Bacon Avatar
      James A. Bacon

      Of course racial inequality is real. Loury, like the Jefferson Council, disagrees about the causes of and remedies for that inequality.

      1. M. Purdy Avatar
        M. Purdy

        Got it. So do Jefferson Council and Loury think that slavery and Jim Crow are causes of racial inequality?

        1. James McCarthy Avatar
          James McCarthy

          Slavery did not cause inequality only a Civil War, as acknowledged by Gov. Youngkin – finally.

          1. M. Purdy Avatar
            M. Purdy

            Yeah, it’s interesting that the existence of racial equality is so obvious to JAB says ‘of course,’ but the equally obvious causal connections between state-imposed/sanctioned violence and discrimination and such inequality lacks a response.

          2. M. Purdy Avatar
            M. Purdy

            Yeah, it’s interesting that the existence of racial equality is so obvious to JAB says ‘of course,’ but the equally obvious causal connections between state-imposed/sanctioned violence and discrimination and such inequality lacks a response.

    3. Lefty665 Avatar
      Lefty665

      Intentionally misrepresenting Loury is cheap stuff. You know better and can do better.

      America if far from perfect, we all know that, and know we need to do more. The quote from Loury in JABs post is far more representative, that he is a “liberal who has been mugged by reality,”.

      I encourage you to listen to some of Loury’s podcasts with John McWhorter.

      1. M. Purdy Avatar
        M. Purdy

        What in God’s name are you talking about? I asked if the Jefferson Council’s position is the same as Loury’s, as his beliefs are set out in the post.

      2. M. Purdy Avatar
        M. Purdy

        What in God’s name are you talking about? I asked if the Jefferson Council’s position is the same as Loury’s, as his beliefs are set out in the post.

        1. Lefty665 Avatar
          Lefty665

          and the rest of the statement (not a quote, but I’m not quibbling) that you selectively quoted was “But the higher-ed panaceas of “anti-racism” and DEI are grievously flawed.”

          You know better, please do better.

          1. M. Purdy Avatar
            M. Purdy

            **What** are you talking about? I asked what the Jefferson’s Council position is relative to Loury’s. I didn’t selectively quote anything. I know that Loury doesn’t like DEI; I asked about the first part.

          2. James McCarthy Avatar
            James McCarthy

            Very often, when challenged, some folks deflect, pivot to their own agenda. Quibbling, though dinged, is the forte. Be patient.

          3. Lefty665 Avatar
            Lefty665

            Silly Jim McCarthy, we knew we could count on you. Congrats on being predictably silly.

  3. Nancy Naive Avatar
    Nancy Naive

    “Loury is one of the foremost African-American intellectuals in the country. No, actually, that’s selling him short.”

    Uh… Nevermind, carry on. Could have started with line 2. Well, I guess systemically one must first call attention to race.

  4. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
    Dick Hall-Sizemore

    The names of the speakers are not familiar to me, but that is not surprising because I am pretty much ignorant of the identities of most of the culture war protagonists. I would have been impressed if you had included at least one speaker who was a supporter of DEI, or at least someone from the administration explaining the university’s position. As it is now, it will be a matter of preaching to the choir.

    1. Tom B Avatar
      Tom B

      How many times have the Brady org or any anti gun group invited the NRA to speak at their meetings?
      The recent Stanford Law School student shout-down of Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan was disgusting, and the conduct of Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Tirien Steinbach in berating the Judge for showing up was atrocious.
      Nancy Pelosi’s star chamber proceeding (aka Jan6 committee), on which she removed any members who supported Trump and replaced them with Trump haters, was a perfect example of DEI in action.
      It’s easy to find other examples of progressive intolerance, bigotry and divisiveness trying to hide under the banner of DEI.
      Perhaps they (DEI supporters) weren’t invited because they lacked the moral and intellectual stature to add to the discussion?

      1. James McCarthy Avatar
        James McCarthy

        Indeed, the lack of moral and intellectual gravamen among DEI supporters clearly disincentivizes inviting any to the JC soirée. Given such disability how have they managed to take over UVA? BTW, there’s a competing narrative about the Stanford fracas that offers that Judge Duncan attended loaded for bear and taunted the shouters. Just saying.

        1. James C. Sherlock Avatar
          James C. Sherlock

          “Competing narrative”. Never doubted it for a minute.

          1. James McCarthy Avatar
            James McCarthy

            Did ya read any? Whadda’d you conclude about the alternative reports? Alternative facts?

          2. James C. Sherlock Avatar
            James C. Sherlock

            https://substackcdn.com/video_upload/post/108645460/6bb8e494-44cf-49ea-b641-737506ef0715/transcoded.mp3?post_id=108645460&relation=embed&Expires=1679014026&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIVDA3NPSMPSPESQQ&Signature=Sv0wkjf5jA1O6HkSP~KCTCEzD85pVnVHSYQiO71j3H9k2zs6ElPcgR1pM~gcGIMlRB-xdcaPpe39T9FLCZ~0jRsqc0Ywgxg8bTlvyIsjz3SiWZAv~xyOctBRW7oqh01Q0FaW0YnKHDr51RxmmXCj7kL5hNLeFT5V~V8sLRFA9npyVK5kQKidHqLYZdr7CrtYBwMyH8fpTs-D5L9J4UgG6-XUFsg9R2ZB1wv3RRUJv-x2NHpVMnD6IksPR8lkPLuNWS-YJC8Zn0tro9gA8kHyVzkw5e8q9kZ6vOOvS7oK9Trc8wVYt0GprK15Pi5utua5u0jJiu-2-ERvFmQ6XkwWSg__

          3. James McCarthy Avatar
            James McCarthy

            Read any contra reports? The substack audio was not intelligible to these ears. Show the reports you read.

          4. Matt Adams Avatar
            Matt Adams

            “James McCarthy James C. Sherlock a day ago
            Read any contra reports? The substack audio was not intelligible to these ears. Show the reports you read”

            Also known as, I didn’t like the evidence you provided, so provide more evidence.

        2. Tom B Avatar
          Tom B

          UVA takeover – the Paradox of Tolerance.

        3. James C. Sherlock Avatar
          James C. Sherlock

          Your “competing narrative” has been exposed as trolling.

          Now you can listen to the audiotape of the entire session, not just watch the 8-minute video. Listen and tell us who exactly taunted who.

          https://substackcdn.com/video_upload/post/108645460/6bb8e494-44cf-49ea-b641-737506ef0715/transcoded.mp3?post_id=108645460&relation=embed&Expires=1679014026&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIVDA3NPSMPSPESQQ&Signature=Sv0wkjf5jA1O6HkSP~KCTCEzD85pVnVHSYQiO71j3H9k2zs6ElPcgR1pM~gcGIMlRB-xdcaPpe39T9FLCZ~0jRsqc0Ywgxg8bTlvyIsjz3SiWZAv~xyOctBRW7oqh01Q0FaW0YnKHDr51RxmmXCj7kL5hNLeFT5V~V8sLRFA9npyVK5kQKidHqLYZdr7CrtYBwMyH8fpTs-D5L9J4UgG6-XUFsg9R2ZB1wv3RRUJv-x2NHpVMnD6IksPR8lkPLuNWS-YJC8Zn0tro9gA8kHyVzkw5e8q9kZ6vOOvS7oK9Trc8wVYt0GprK15Pi5utua5u0jJiu-2-ERvFmQ6XkwWSg__

          1. James McCarthy Avatar
            James McCarthy

            Again, I did not troll the video but read one report that was most contradictory to the RWM reports. What did you read?

        4. Tom B Avatar
          Tom B

          The full 42 min audio of the event debunks the followup smear job you refer to, which blamed the judge. The fascist, DEI terrorists were the instigators.

          It also confirms they violated Stanford’s policy on campus disruptions, for which they are unlikely to be held accountable.

          1. James McCarthy Avatar
            James McCarthy

            I’ll wait then for the TV series. All I offered was that ccontra reports existed. I did not state they were fact or truth.

      2. LarrytheG Avatar
        LarrytheG

        Has the NRA invited anti-gun folks to speak?

        1. f/k/a_tmtfairfax Avatar
          f/k/a_tmtfairfax

          Or the Brady group inviting pro-Second Amendment speakers?

          BR is becoming one of the few places where people can express opposing views without being shouted down.

          1. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            oh but they can be “deleted” if the moderator disagrees with the points they’re making, apparently.

            Yes, “cancel culture” is right here in BR some days!

            In terms of Brady and the NRA, having watched folks like Wayne LaPierre , I can’t see him tolerating any Brady folk at all…

          2. CJBova Avatar
            CJBova

            It’s not genuine “points” that get deleted. It’s the insults, name-calling, low-grade snark, and permutations of such, as well as the excursions into unrelated topics that don’t add anything to the blog. Oh yes–complaints about moderation too.

          3. CJBova Avatar
            CJBova

            It’s not genuine “points” that get deleted. It’s the insults, name-calling, low-grade snark, and permutations of such, as well as the excursions into unrelated topics that don’t add anything to the blog. Oh yes–complaints about moderation too.

          4. CJBova Avatar
            CJBova

            That’s in spite of the small cohort here who try to overwhelm most articles with their negative comments.

    2. Nathan Avatar
      Nathan

      When something is being crammed, nonstop, down the throat of every living thing on the planet, I don’t think it remiss to not include more of it at an event designed to present an alternative view.

      Good grief!

      1. M. Purdy Avatar
        M. Purdy

        Is it really being “crammed” though? I hear this from time and time, and I don’t think it lines up with reality. We’re talking about a few training sessions in the private and public sectors, some official statements, etc. Conservative politicians make exponentially more of this than anyone in the real world, I think.

        1. Nathan Avatar
          Nathan

          Yes, crammed.

          One cannot go through a normal day without being exposed to it in one form or another. Themes and messages about diversity, equity, and inclusion are inescapable.

          At times we all need a break from politics, but I can’t even watch a football game without messages on helmets, commercials etc.

          When even Liberty University has a DEI promoter, it’s reached the saturation point.

          1. M. Purdy Avatar
            M. Purdy

            Maybe you’re just hypersensitive to it. I can understand if you’re forced to sit through something you find objectionable, but a message on a football helmet? Don’t watch football if you don’t like it.

          2. Nathan Avatar
            Nathan

            So throughout all of the media and society we are bombarded by elements of DEI, without a whisper from the left about the need for opposing viewpoints.

            And as you have demonstrated, anyone who doesn’t like it can pound sand.

            But if a speaker is invited to present a viewpoint that is in any way critical, THAT somehow requires a DEI promoter to counter what is said.

            The spirit of Pravda is alive and well with the left.

          3. M. Purdy Avatar
            M. Purdy

            “So throughout all of the media and society we are bombarded by elements of DEI…” You keep on saying that, but you have yet to prove it. I asked you to prove it and you said messages on NFL helmets. Well, gee golly, not sure that counts as “bombardment.”

          4. Nathan Avatar
            Nathan

            I provided a couple examples, which should demonstrate the point.

            “…you have yet to prove it.”

            What, should I document every example throughout all of society?

            It is impossible to prove something to someone who is unwilling to acknowledge an opposing view. We disagree. Leave it at that.

  5. Nancy Naive Avatar
    Nancy Naive

    “Loury is one of the foremost African-American intellectuals in the country. No, actually, that’s selling him short.”

    Uh… Nevermind, carry on. Could have started with line 2. Well, I guess systemically one must first call attention to race.

    1. LarrytheG Avatar
      LarrytheG

      indeed… WHO makes it about race? liberals?

      what was that thing? “… will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin”

      not here… eh?

      1. James C. Sherlock Avatar
        James C. Sherlock

        You cannot possibly be contending that progressives are not focused on race.

        1. LarrytheG Avatar
          LarrytheG

          I can. But the claim by Conservatives is what you just said but what BR post made it about race?
          How many posts in BR by conservatives make it about race and the claim that liberals are
          “obsessed” with race ? I think Conservatives are obsessed about race given the evidence.

  6. James McCarthy Avatar
    James McCarthy

    It would seem from the brief bios of the JC glitterati that no balance exists to include at least one lefty. Is not the JC’s priority decreasing the liberal/woke influence at UVA and increasing that of conservative/woke views? A token at the dais would symbolize that.

    1. James C. Sherlock Avatar
      James C. Sherlock

      As I asked Larry above, why is it even of interest to you who is invited by the Jefferson Society, a private organization, to speak to its members. At what point is “balance” required? Is there “balance” at the Democratic National Convention?

      Is the speaker list not their business alone, or are you making it yours?

      1. James McCarthy Avatar
        James McCarthy

        Is the JC thingy a political convention? I’ve asked repeatedly what JC advocates as the criteria for balancing the woke liberal bias alleged at UVA. How many woke conservatives must be recruited to UVA to be acceptable to JC? The JAB post is an invitation , so some responded. If we ought not be interested don’t publish the dais glitterati names.

        1. Lefty665 Avatar
          Lefty665

          The remedy is to remove the woke racist CRT/DIE storm troopers, not embed them under a phony notion of “balance”. Compromise with evil yields only the illusion of progress. Evil takes what you give it then comes back for more.

          Making up nonsense slurs as you are fond of doing is the essence of Jim McCarthy walks. Congrats once again.

          1. James McCarthy Avatar
            James McCarthy

            Many BR posters and JAB’s JC advocate that UVA is overtaken by lefty/liberals especially those supporting DEI. Never saw such reference to CRT at UVA as you state. Still, how many righties are needed to balance the ideological spectrum at UVA? What is the criteria to identify those in the woke, liberal, lefty cohort? I know, I know, it’s a silly question.

          2. Lefty665 Avatar
            Lefty665

            Your professed ignorance of the relationship of CRT to DIE will not protect you.

            The issue is not balance, it is elimination of woke racist CRT/DIE toadys easily identified by their job titles and actions..

            It is so nice you are gaining insight into your silliness. Hope it does not impact the joy the rest of us get from your Jim McCarthy silly walks.

          3. Lefty665 Avatar
            Lefty665

            Your professed ignorance of the relationship of CRT to DIE will not protect you.

            The issue is not balance, it is elimination of woke racist CRT/DIE toadys easily identified by their job titles and actions..

            It is so nice you are gaining insight into your silliness. Hope it does not impact the joy the rest of us get from your Jim McCarthy silly walks.

          4. James McCarthy Avatar
            James McCarthy

            Has CRT been identified at UVA? Exposed in a BR article there? Are you alleging that the criteria to achieve balance at UVA is simply to eliminate supporters of DEI/CRT? How many faculty/staff/students does it take to be eliminated? If it’s only a handful, JC’s campaign to rebalance ideology at UVA might not succeed. Your insight into silliness is all this platform requires to be informed.

      2. M. Purdy Avatar
        M. Purdy

        Well, it’s a private organization that is attempting to influence some of the most prominent public institutions in the state. Right?

        1. James C. Sherlock Avatar
          James C. Sherlock

          It is a private organization. Who they invite to speak is no business of anyone but their members.

          1. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            did you somehow miss the “sponsored content”? 😉

          2. M. Purdy Avatar
            M. Purdy

            They can surely invite whomever they want. That’s not the question, though. The question is whether the speakers and topics are open for critique. The answer is yes, 100%, esp. because a) they posted it on a blog, and b) while private, they are an organization seeking to reform public institutions.

          3. Lefty665 Avatar
            Lefty665

            Their objective is to “reform public institutions”. Why should they invite anti reform speakers? Did the civil rights movement invite the Klan to speak in churches?

          4. Matt Adams Avatar
            Matt Adams

            It’s a world of do as I say not as a I do.

          5. M. Purdy Avatar
            M. Purdy

            Right, because people who support DEI and want to address societal ills are definitely like the Klan.

          6. DJRippert Avatar
            DJRippert

            I think that was more or less what Joe Biden said when he eulogized Robert Byrd at that Klansman’s funeral. A funeral that was held in 2010.

          7. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            Yep, and I’m sure Northam would have agreed also!

          8. Lefty665 Avatar
            Lefty665

            Racists are as racists does. All brothers under the sheets.

  7. James C. Sherlock Avatar
    James C. Sherlock

    Watching the progressive leftist regulars in the peanut gallery of this blog critique the theme and speakers at a Jefferson Society gathering is like listening to mice critique cats.

    Hilarious, but I guess we need to consider it from the mice’s perspective.

    OK, let’s not.

    1. James McCarthy Avatar
      James McCarthy

      AND, the roar of woke conservatives from the back benchers about DEI and lefty UVA is like watching an Abbot and Costello routine about baseball. Once they were lost but now found. Dated.

  8. James Wyatt Whitehead Avatar
    James Wyatt Whitehead

    Is the event open to the student body?

    1. James A. Bacon Avatar
      James A. Bacon

      A number of students will be comped free tickets.

      1. James Wyatt Whitehead Avatar
        James Wyatt Whitehead

        That’s good. The students need to be the target audience. They ultimately will be the agents of change.

        1. M. Purdy Avatar
          M. Purdy

          True, gotta win hearts and minds. And nothing wins the hearts and minds of high-IQ, academically-inclined ambitious young people like belittling members of the student body, deprecating a popular school president, and espousing pro-confederate propaganda. Good luck with that, Jeff Council and BR!

      2. LarrytheG Avatar
        LarrytheG

        https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/02034c614ba2e18b32988c3fdd1f2e9692cd6065a875412dabee228af3cdedb0.jpg

        “free speech” ain’t CHEAP! 😉

  9. LarrytheG Avatar
    LarrytheG

    re: ” I saw Loury in action at an American Council of Trustees and Alumni event last year, and I can tell you, he is phenomenal. DEI in higher education, he charges, makes African-American students think of themselves as victims, deprives them of agency, and induces passivity and fragility. He also makes the case for Black patriotism. Black people, he says, are blessed to be Americans.”

    Maybe I don’t understand but I don’t see DEI as just about black people.

    I see it as more about ANYONE who is not a WASP, a panoply of folks who are “different” from perhaps foreign students from a very different country and culture to a person who is a transexual, i.e. “diverse” and the university needs to have an environment that helps them feel included AND given an equitable shot at achieving in a world that he/she is not totally like everyone else.

    not just black folks.

    Is this a thing where most Conservatives THINK that DEI …. IS about only black folks?

    1. James McCarthy Avatar
      James McCarthy

      Well now! The death of DEI is also intended to counter the imbalance of liberal wokery at UVA. The cancellation of DEI requires folks of all colors and ethnic origins

    2. DJRippert Avatar
      DJRippert

      As a Black professor Loury felt qualified to describe how he feels DEI in colleges and universities affects Black people.

      Why is that surprising or bothersome to you?

      If he spoke on behalf of Hispanics I am sure the left would accuse him of cultural appropriation.

      1. LarrytheG Avatar
        LarrytheG

        Do you think he speaks on behalf of other races and cultures when he talks about Clarence Thomas and similar?

        Beyond that, do you think he speaks for most blacks or not?

        so the idea of providing an environment that welcomes diversity, is inclusive and promotes equity and equality is “offensive” to one black man?

        1. James C. Sherlock Avatar
          James C. Sherlock

          Did you ever ask yourself why you care, or why it is any of your business, that the Jefferson Society, a private organization, invites conservatives to speak before its members?

          Just asking. What nerve is touched when a black conservative is the keynote speaker.

          He is not “speaking on behalf of” anyone but himself.

          1. M. Purdy Avatar
            M. Purdy

            See above.

          2. DJRippert Avatar
            DJRippert

            Black conservatives totally frustrate White liberals. The liberals are horrified by the idea that Black people can think for themselves. It defies the liberal concept of being White saviors. But it isn’t just Black conservatives who frustrate White liberals. Marco Rubio isn’t Hispanic because he’s … wait for it …. Cuban! George Zimmerman wasn’t Hispanic, he was …. a White Hispanic. Conservative Asians are “White adjacent”.

          3. Matt Adams Avatar
            Matt Adams

            Similarly our POTUS made a statement during his campaign, where if you didn’t vote for him you weren’t black.

            In his case, we don’t know if that was racism or senility.

          4. Lefty665 Avatar
            Lefty665

            or both, they’re not mutually exclusive.

          5. Matt Adams Avatar
            Matt Adams

            True enough, POTUS Biden certainly doesn’t have the best history to his name.

          6. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            Why? You mean when someone posts here in BR a point of view and I respond likewise?

          7. James C. Sherlock Avatar
            James C. Sherlock

            Last time I checked, you had logged almost 4 times as many comments as the next most prolific commenter in BR history. You sometimes respond to yourself. BR is your life.

          8. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            are you looking at total comments over how many years? Is counting comments YOUR life? 😉

          9. CJBova Avatar
            CJBova

            Jim Sherlock is correct. Disqus keeps count. Larry, you have made 26, 725 comments in the past 11.48 years, about 2,328 per year. 821 flagged as inappropriate by other readers. In the past 24 hours, you’ve made 23% of all comments: 33 posts, 6 of which were deleted for cause. To compare for the past day, Purdy had 12% and McCarthy 8%. McCarthy has had 3184 in 8.47 years =375/year (but increasing lately). Purdy 1059 in l.8 years=588 year.

          10. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            Just saw this… not sure why I don’t get them.

            Not sure of your point.

            I’ve been commenting at BR for more than a decade and yes a prolific commenter.

            So?

            Why are you counting?

        2. f/k/a_tmtfairfax Avatar
          f/k/a_tmtfairfax

          Clarence Thomas is not supposed to speak for all blacks any more than Elena Kagan is supposed to speak for all Jews. They are justices of the Supreme Court, who, try to do their constitutional duty.

          1. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            I agree, my view is that conservatives these days often hold them up as representative of “blacks”.

        3. DJRippert Avatar
          DJRippert

          I think his comments on Clarence Thomas apply to Clarance Thomas. The letter seems both specific and clear.

          No one person “speaks” for most people of any given race. However, a lot of people signed that letter.

          You write, “so the idea of providing an environment that welcomes diversity, is inclusive and promotes equity and equality is “offensive” to one black man?”

          Loury has an opinion:

          “DEI in higher education, he charges, makes African-American students think of themselves as victims, deprives them of agency, and induces passivity and fragility.”

          I don’t see the work “offensive” in these comments. I think that Loury would call DEI on college campuses “ineffective” or “counter-productive” rather than “offensive”.

          1. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            I just don’t consider promoting diversity, inclusion and equity “offensive” and I suspect if you’d ask a lot of folks , of different races and cultures they’d find it not a bad thing at all.

  10. James McCarthy Avatar
    James McCarthy

    “the American democratic system that has created unparalleled opportunity for Blacks in the 21st century.” Yet, “persistent racial inequality is real.” Waiting some 400+ years to get to the 21st century only to discover persistent racial inequality is real seems unreal.

    1. f/k/a_tmtfairfax Avatar
      f/k/a_tmtfairfax

      And yet, we never seem to see a white progressive step down for a black person. Wouldn’t that address the inequality? But I guess some whites are anointed saviors of the black race. You get yours after I keep mine. And by the way, I’ve got some lower class whites (or any class Asians) ready to pay the price.

      1. James A. Bacon Avatar
        James A. Bacon

        Bingo!

        No progressive white person in a position of authority has ever stepped down to make way for a minority. Someone else — someone not in a position of power — always pays the price for elite virtue signaling.

        1. M. Purdy Avatar
          M. Purdy

          How would a white person in a position of authority “step down” then hand pick a successor who’s a minority b/c they’re a minority? It’s not how the real world works, it might be illegal, and sort of misses the point for diversity works. Are you asking why progressive don’t do illegal, irrational things to advance racial outcomes?

          1. Lefty665 Avatar
            Lefty665

            Biden and Kamala is an example.

            Why do progressives do illegal, irrational things to retard racial outcomes?

          2. Matt Adams Avatar
            Matt Adams

            Hey you’re talking to a poster who is so ethically corrupt that they think it’s okay to publicly smear someone. To them, the ends justify the means.

          3. M. Purdy Avatar
            M. Purdy

            That’s a pretty terrible example, given that Biden was No. 2 to the only non-white president in history, and also elevated the only non-male, non-white to the No. 2 spot.

          4. Lefty665 Avatar
            Lefty665

            Stay tuned. The Dems are terrified Biden wants to run again. They are even more terrified that he has made Kamala, the empty virtue signal and political payoff, his heir. Watching them squirm as they try to find a way to escape their dilemma is interesting.

            A variation on Nixon Agnew seems likely, get shed of Kamala first. Once they do that they can stand aside, wailing and moaning righteously, as the Repubs expose the Biden family crime syndicate.

            In exchange the Repubs get Dem judicial process to free them from Trump.

          5. f/k/a_tmtfairfax Avatar
            f/k/a_tmtfairfax

            Your statement is wrong. Biden was not the first person elected President with a non-white VP. Herbert Hoover’s VP was Charles Curtis of Kansas. He was an enrolled member of the Kaw Nation. Both VP Curtis and VP Harris were/are mixed race. Curtis also served as Senate Majority Leader.

            Harris is, however, the first female to be elected VP.

          6. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            ..and far preferable to the likes of Pence and/or Palin.

          7. f/k/a_tmtfairfax Avatar
            f/k/a_tmtfairfax

            Who? Harris? She flunked the bar exam and is generally regarded as a lightweight on both sides of the aisle. No Pat Schroeder, she.

          8. M. Purdy Avatar
            M. Purdy

            Yes, good point. But she’s still the first female, and she is nonwhite.

          9. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            It’s hilarious that JAB suggests it. One has to wonder what in the dooda is going on in their heads with regard to understanding what diversity is. Good Lord!

          10. f/k/a_tmtfairfax Avatar
            f/k/a_tmtfairfax

            Let’s look at Illinois as a current example. White Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker could resign. Black Democrat Juliana Stratton would succeed him. Similarly, white Democratic Governor Gretchen Witmer of Michigan could resign to be succeeded by black Democratic Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist. Ditto for N.J., N.Y. and Pennsylvania. All three states have white Democratic Governors and black Democratic Lt. Governors.

            Were all five white Governors to resign, the nation would have five more black Democratic Governors.

          11. James McCarthy Avatar
            James McCarthy

            Great idea! Biden resigns and Repugs/cons go apoplectic.

          12. f/k/a_tmtfairfax Avatar
            f/k/a_tmtfairfax

            I was addressing white Democratic Governors and black Democratic Lt. Governors in the same state, responding to M. Purdy’s comment that resignation wouldn’t work.

          13. James McCarthy Avatar
            James McCarthy

            Why limit the cohort? Sounds like a plan that both parties might follow. Govs and Lts of different races including Asian. That 5 Dem slates reflect that paradigm offers example to the GOP to step up. Herschel Walker was not a good example of racial succession.

          14. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            Ya’ll are messed up on this issue. White folks who support black equality will get elected, HIRE and appoint black folks AND support competitors to white GOP seats!

            We BUILD on it!

          15. M. Purdy Avatar
            M. Purdy

            Oh, please. What elected official resigns solely for that purpose? It would be arguable a dereliction of duty, nor is it remotely supposed to be what DEI is about. Let me give you a couple contrasting examples: Pelosi resigns and immediately threw her support behind her successor, Hakeem Jeffries; Biden has nominated more minorities to the federal bench than any other president; he further has one of the most diverse administrations in history. That’s much more valuable than some symbolic resignation, which would ultimateley do more damage than good.

          16. Lefty665 Avatar
            Lefty665

            “he further has one of the most diverse administrations in history. That’s much more valuable than some symbolic resignation”

            So true, he has demonstrated that diverse people can be every bit as incompetent as white men. Thus discrediting both the idea of white superiority and minority equality. That is quite an accomplishment, but not an achievement. It is a demonstration of the dangers of valuing equity over ability.

          17. f/k/a_tmtfairfax Avatar
            f/k/a_tmtfairfax

            I’m addressing the “White Savior” complex.

          18. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            That’s mostly a right-wing thing… not on the left.

            And nothing wrong at all with black congressional leaders and judges… why is that “white savior”?

          19. James McCarthy Avatar
            James McCarthy

            But we must consider the Color Savior complex when all whitie righites are in the minority via replacement theory. Hope Tucker Carlson is still on TV to offer comment.

          20. M. Purdy Avatar
            M. Purdy

            I hear about this white savior complex from time to time, but I tend to see more evidence of white superiority complex. Furthermore, one is definitely silly and self-important, but one is actually dangerous.

        2. James McCarthy Avatar
          James McCarthy

          Superb observation!!! At what point in the balancing of race in top state elected positions will it be the turn of a Black to step down for a successor of a different color or ethnic origin? Bingo in the future while conservatives’ campaign for ideological balance everywhere, starting at UVA,

  11. William O'Keefe Avatar
    William O’Keefe

    Congratulations Jim. You have put together an impressive program in spite of some of the comments made. Glenn Loury has probably picked up the torch from Thomas Sowell.

  12. DJRippert Avatar
    DJRippert

    It will be certainly interesting how this goes in Charlottesville. A recent conference at UC Davis provides a cautionary tale.

    Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point, was invited to speak at UC – Davis. Kirk is a leading conservative voice.

    The Sacramento Bee published an erroneous and inflammatory article claiming that Charlie Kirk once called for transgender people to be lynched. The article was amplified with a Tweet that was seen 111,000 times.

    The article set off what has been called a melee at Kirk’s speech. Antifa was apparently involved. Two people were arrested.

    https://www.cbsnews.com/sac…

    Charlie Kirk vigorously refuted the Bee’s claim that he ever called for the lynching of transgender people. Kirk threatened to sue he paper over the falsehoods.

    The day after the speech and the melee, the Sacramento Bee published a retraction and an apology. They also took down the Tweet. Of course, by then, the damage had been done, the melee had occurred, Antifa had been engaged and two people had been arrested.

    We’ll see whether the Daily Progress and the wretched Cavalier Daily follow a similar path to the Sacramento Bee by publishing lies before the Jefferson Council event and then retracting those lies after the event.

    1. M. Purdy Avatar
      M. Purdy

      Charlie Kirk is a leading conservative voice. Tells you all you need to know about the current state of the ‘conservative’ movement.

      1. DJRippert Avatar
        DJRippert

        Try to stay on topic. The question isn’t whether you like what Charlie Kirk says. The question is whether the legacy media, in the form of The Sacramento Bee, intentionally lied about Charlie Kirk in order to stoke he fires of a protest that turned violent. That question needs to be asked ahead of the Jefferson Council meeting in Charlottesville, especially given the wretched Cavalier Daily’s repeated willingness to misinform its readership by misrepresenting what one of the speakers, Burt Ellis, actually did while a student 40+ years ago.

        1. LarrytheG Avatar
          LarrytheG

          You think the “legacy media” does a better job of “stoking” than social media?

          gadzooks!

          1. DJRippert Avatar
            DJRippert

            I never made that point. However, the Sacramento Bee did amplify their erroneous story with a Tweet that had 111,000 views before they (wisely) took it down.

          2. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            you never made a point about Antifa? Do you think “legacy media” … incites more/better than social media these days? I’m sure you know the phrase “flash mob”, right? You know how fast that bank
            failed right? How come so fast?

          3. DJRippert Avatar
            DJRippert

            Stay on topic. You claimed, “You think the “legacy media” does a better job of “stoking” than social media?

            gadzooks!”

            I never said anything about legacy media vs social media.

          4. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            “tweet” much?

        2. M. Purdy Avatar
          M. Purdy

          Do u even know if the local Cville papers are going to cover this meeting?

          1. DJRippert Avatar
            DJRippert

            I have no idea. However, I will bet you a steak dinner that the Cavalier Daily will publish a misinformation piece ahead of the April 4 meeting. They seem obsessed with Bert Ellis and he’s speaking.

          2. M. Purdy Avatar
            M. Purdy

            Do you not think that they should cover Bert Ellis? Seems like his appointment and associated controversies are quite newsworthy. It was front page news in Wapo.

          3. M. Purdy Avatar
            M. Purdy

            Do you not think that they should cover Bert Ellis? Seems like his appointment and associated controversies are quite newsworthy. It was front page news in Wapo.

      2. LarrytheG Avatar
        LarrytheG

        Indeed. And these days “Antifa” is the conservative boogeyman of choice. Like
        colleges never had such reactions to folks like Kirk in the years and decades before now. Who was the Conservative boogeyman back then? Commies!

        1. DJRippert Avatar
          DJRippert

          So, CBS is now a conservative mouthpiece?

          “Hundreds of protesters converged on the UC Davis campus Tuesday night as a highly-charged speaking event brought out conservatives, liberals and what appeared to be Antifa activists.”

          https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/2-arrested-as-protesters-clash-at-event-on-uc-davis-campus/

          1. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            re: ” what appeared to be Antifa activists”… so “hundreds” of which SOME might have been Antifa? What about the other hundreds? Not Antifa?

          2. DJRippert Avatar
            DJRippert

            You wrote …

            “Antifa” is the conservative boogeyman of choice.

            CBS reported that Antifa was apparently present at the UC Davis protest that turned violent.

            I asked whether you consider CBS a conservative mouthpiece.

            My question still stands.

          3. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            Yep, just like they used to report other activists groups present at College campuses 50 yrs ago. What’s the point? This is something that has happened for as long as I can remember on college campuses. I bet when you were in college there were such campus protests, no?

  13. James A. Bacon Avatar
    James A. Bacon

    I have to say: the caterwauling about the Jefferson Council event is beyond bizarre. Advocacy groups hold this sort of event ALL THE TIME and no one thinks twice about it. We are not billing this event as a debate. It’s an opportunity for like-minded people to join a movement. As much as I might disagree with their policies, I would never criticize the NAACP or Southern Environmental Law Center for holding a conference of like-minded people. That’s democracy in action. What is the problem here?

    1. M. Purdy Avatar
      M. Purdy

      Pssst, I don’t think anyone really cares…Have at it. But if you could answer the question below about slavery and Jim Crow, that would be great.

    2. Nancy Naive Avatar
      Nancy Naive

      It’s come so close to the DeSantis DE&I fundraising bash. See your Loury and raise you a Rufo.
      https://www.flgov.com/2023/03/13/governor-ron-desantis-hosts-roundtable-exposing-the-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-scam-in-higher-education/

      1. James C. Sherlock Avatar
        James C. Sherlock

        At the age of 33, Loury became the first African American professor of economics at Harvard University to gain tenure.

        Yet you would never condescend to “see” Dr. Loury speak.

        1. Nancy Naive Avatar
          Nancy Naive

          Economist? Pfft.

          As the joke goes, “Is he one-handed?”

    3. Eric the half a troll Avatar
      Eric the half a troll

      Umm.., the NAACP and SELC have not spent the past several months incessantly attacking others for supposedly not providing a platform for ALL voices. You and your organization have. I think the hypocrisy displayed is what is capturing commenters’ attention.

      1. James C. Sherlock Avatar
        James C. Sherlock

        Don’t want to pop the bubble you live in, but you do realize that this comment being hosted on Jim Bacon’s blog refutes your argument, correct?

      2. James C. Sherlock Avatar
        James C. Sherlock

        Don’t want to pop the bubble you live in, but you do realize that this comment being hosted on Jim Bacon’s blog refutes your argument, correct?

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