Northwestern Dean of Students' Presence at Anti-Israel Protest

[UPDATE 4/24/24: See David's response here.]

I've seen some items online asserting that the Northwestern Dean of Students "joins anti-Israel rally organized by far-left student groups," was "openly standing in solidarity with students engaged in anti-Semitism and intimidation," or was otherwise at fault in supporting the rally. Our own David Bernstein, for instance, posted at InstaPundit,

HEADS SHOULD, BUT LIKELY WON'T ROLL: Northwestern University Dean of Students Attends Protest Targeting Campus Jewish Community Center. Let's just pause to take this in for a moment. Northwestern University is already under federal investigation for violating Jewish students' civil rights. And so the Dean of Students, Mona Dugo… decides to attend a rally protesting, and let's be honest, trying to intimidate, the campus Hillel (Jewish student group). She later claimed that she wanted to make sure the protestors right to protest was protected, as if roving mobs of Jewish students have been the problem on campus. Who is she kidding? If she isn't relieved of her administrative responsibilities, and soon, Northwestern will richly deserve the hostile environment lawsuit it loses.

I have to say I'm skeptical about this criticism. It makes good sense for administrators to be present at events that might go bad in various ways, or that might lead to complaints. That way they can try to nip problems in the bud, or at least have a sense of who was responsible for any trouble that might arise. Such presence isn't necessarily "join[ing]" the rally, or otherwise endorsing it; to the extent that it's "attend[ing]," it's attending in the sense that a police officer may attend an event to make sure things go smoothly, not in the sense that a participant may attend it to express support (or even out of genuine personal interest).

Now a Daily Northwestern story does say,

Dean of Students and Assistant Vice President for Wellness Mona Dugo was also present at the rally. Dugo said she was present to ensure students have the "right to protest" and "protect the right to free speech."

But it seems clear from the limited quotes that Dugo said something more, and the reporter just chose what to excerpt. And when I e-mailed Dugo for her side of the story, she said,

• As Dean of Students, I regularly attend student demonstrations on campus, to ensure the safety of our community. I been to dozens of demonstrations on a variety of topics over the years, as have other members of our Student Affairs team.
• My role at these demonstrations is not as a participant or supporter, but as an observer to ensure safety and well-being of the entire community, including those who might be targeted by the protest.
• When asked by the student newspaper why I was there I told them this as well, but that part of my quote was not included in the article.
• Monday's demonstration was held by a number of student groups representing a variety of issues. [The Daily Northwestern story noted that "NU chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine, Educators for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace, Fossil Free Northwestern and Students Organizing for Labor Rights co-hosted the daylong protest. During it, they advocated for the University's divestment from fossil fuel contributors, the removal of John Evans' colonial legacy on campus, increased labor rights for campus workers and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip." -EV]
• I, and the University, strongly supports Hillel, which is vital to the Northwestern community.
• The University is investigating whether the statements about Hillel that were in the flyer distributed Monday violate our Code of Conduct or Northwestern's discrimination and harassment policies.

According to her, then, she said not only that "she was present to ensure students have the 'right to protest' and 'protect the right to free speech'" but also that she was there "as an observer to ensure safety and well-being of the entire community, including those who might be targeted by the protest." That sounds like a credible claim on her part; I have no reason to doubt that this is what she said. And it sounds eminently reasonable for her to have been present as an "observer," and to have explained that to the reporter (as she asserts she did).

More broadly, I think we should be cautious about faulting university administrators (or others) based on student reporters' short excerpts from what was very likely a longer statement. And we should be hesitant to just assume the worst motivations in situations where there is a benign explanation (which is that it's an administrator's job to go to events in order to monitor them). Yes, some administrators may do bad things, or do things for bad reasons, just as some of every class of people does bad things or does things for bad reasons. But I don't think we should just assume such bad behavior, based on a snippet quoted in a newspaper article.

[* * *]

I wrote the above on Sunday, but held off on publishing in order to e-mail the Northwestern reporters (which I did on Sunday) and see if they had more to say about what Dugo had told them. I hadn't directly heard back from them by Tuesday morning, but when I was preparing to post this, I found this Daily Northwestern follow-up article posted Monday, which seems to support Dugo's account:

Northwestern released a statement Sunday afternoon clarifying the role of University administrators at student demonstrations …. [The report of the statement seems to track what Dugo sent me. -EV] …

At the rally, Dugo told The Daily she was present as a part of the University's Event Support Team with the goal of "keeping an eye on things to make sure there's nothing that escalates into either the protesters being threatened or harmed or them doing anything that disrupts or damages our community."

"I'm not really here to stand with or in opposition to the students," Dugo said at the rally. "My role as the dean of students is to make sure that students have a right to protest."

She told The Daily on Monday that her primary focus at the rally, in addition to protecting students' right to protest, was monitoring an outside individual not affiliated with the University who briefly attended the rally to prevent possible escalation….

Dugo and other staff from the Division of Student Affairs have been present at several student demonstrations and protests since October related to the Israel-Hamas war — including a student walkout on Oct. 25, an Evanston ceasefire rally at University President Michael Schill's home on Nov. 4 and an event hosted by NU SJP on Jan. 24.

It thus seems that she indeed told the reporters that she was there as a neutral, in order both to protesting students' rights and to make sure that they do not "do[] anything that disrupts or damages our community." Again, that sounds like her doing her job as an administrator.

Comments

[John F. Carr]

While formally the various groups may be distinct with distinct charters, they remind me of my time on campus when the left wing groups blended into each other. One didn't see a lot of students cheering for both capitalism and the PLO.

Monday's demonstration was held by a number of student groups representing a variety of issues. [The Daily Northwestern story noted that "NU chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine, Educators for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace, Fossil Free Northwestern and Students Organizing for Labor Rights co-hosted the daylong protest. During it, they advocated for the University's divestment from fossil fuel contributors, the removal of John Evans' colonial legacy on campus, increased labor rights for campus workers and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip." -EV]

[Á àß äẞç ãþÇđ âÞ¢Đæ ǎB€Ðëf ảhf]

Splitters, the lot. Down with splitters!

[Both Sides]

People's Front of Judea? /Spits/ We're the Judean People's Front!

[WuzYoungOnceToo]

All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?

[Dr. Ed 2]

John, it's so each group can get funded.

[Old Smokin' Egg]

I saw the same thing during my long-ago campus pinko phase. We were organizing a demonstration on campus to oppose Jimmy Carter's resumption of draft registration (as I said, long ago). The cause itself probably would've drawn lots of student support; but most of the demonstration was taken up with solidarity messages from gays, Palestinians, environmentalists, Sandinististas... You couldn't just be opposed to the draft; you had to sign onto a whole package of positions on a dozen different issues.

[David Nieporent]

During it, they advocated for the University’s divestment from fossil fuel contributors, the removal of John Evans’ colonial legacy on campus, increased labor rights for campus workers and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.”

One of the left's perennial problems is a complete and utter lack of message discipline. A pro-life rally is going to be about abortion. An anti-immigration rally is going to be about immigrants. But when leftists want an anti-Israel rally, they end up throwing in stuff about "labor rights for campus workers."

Ezra Klein talked about this phenomenon as "everything bagel liberalism." No matter what the agenda item is, every single liberal interest group feels the need to be heard about their own issue. Liberal projects never get completed because nothing can ever be subordinate to anything else.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/02/opinion/democrats-liberalism.html

[NOVA Lawyer]

And we should be hesitant to just assume the worst motivations in situations where there is a benign explanation.

Have you met David Bernstein? Definitely not his modus operandi.

Kudos to you for calling him out, Eugene. Too little, maybe too late. But it's pleasant to see him publicly rebuked by a peer for his knee jerk accusations of antisemitism.

[Mr. Bumble]

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck.

[apedad]

Mr. B, you good with this statement too?

If it walks like a woman and talks like a woman, it's a woman.

[#FFFFFFPride]

What of it walks like a woman, talks like a woman, but still looks like a man?

[Sarcastr0]

This is the right-wing take on what trans people are like, but by all accounts is pretty rare - changing your appearance is one of the first things you do.

[Mr. Bumble]

Now do furries.

[Michael P]

If you put the staff at my kids' before- and after-school care in a line, there would be no doubt which one is trans -- probably even for people who don't know that one of them is trans. (Their transition was well after my kids started attending that school.) Height, build, Adam's apple, facial structure are all classically male; growing out hair, gaining a bust and wearing a skirt doesn't affect that. Apparently, behavior (particularly playing Magic: The Gathering) hasn't changed much either.

See https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/health_care/hhs-exec-visits-nashville-to-discuss-hiv-lgbt-health/article_0602ca58-f837-11ee-9b9f-2746dcd098ab.html for a less obvious example.

[y81]

What if when she squeezed me tight, she nearly broke my spine? Does it matter if I'm not the world's most masculine man?

[Sarcastr0]

A needle drop that should be deployed more often in these discussions. Well done!

[Mr. Bumble]

The analogy breaks down by comparing sexual differences.

[NOVA Lawyer]

As the OP points out, the Dean of Students didn't walk like a duck or quack. Yet, David called her a duck. Your analogy proves too much.

[Estragon]

The guy should not be teaching con law to law students, full stop.

[#FFFFFFPride]

I wonder at what point in their chants do they slip in "Oh, and pay off our student loans too! Death to America!"

[Sarcastr0]

They are just that much more clever than you - a dead America can't charge student loans!

[Á àß äẞç ãþÇđ âÞ¢Đæ ǎB€Ðëf ảhf]

They are just that much more clever than you too -- a dead America can't collect student loans.

[Alpheus W Drinkwater]

Eh, some debt collection agency would just buy them out for pennies on the dollar and start dunning.

[JonFrum]

"It thus seems that she indeed told the reporters that she was there as a neutral, in order both to protesting students' rights and to make sure that they do not "do[] anything that disrupts or damages our community." "

No. She said this: "I'm not really here to stand with or in opposition to the students," Dugo said at the rally. "My role as the dean of students is to make sure that students have a right to protest." Nothing about threats to Jewish students. No concern for Jewish students. Only concern for the mob of Jew-haters.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

Nothing about Israel's war crimes, Israel's unlawful and disgusting conduct in the West Bank, Israel's bigoted and violent, superstition-based right-wing government, the importance of imposing conditions on any additional American assistance for Israel, the need to avoid American complicity in Israeli misconduct, etc.

It appears many of the people who object to Israel's recent right-wing belligerence and the Netanyahu government of bigots and religious kooks -- in Israel and in the United States, including on college campuses -- are Jews who are not deplorable right-wing kooks.

[Frank Drackman]

Responding to a Massacre is a War Crime? I'm glad you weren't one of the Chosen. How many A-rabs did "Our" side kill after 9-11? Hillary Rodman, Parkinsonian Joe, and Lurch Kerry even voted for it.

Frank

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

The Great World Central Kitchen Massacre?

Or the general Aid Volunteers Helping Gaza Massacre?

Or the Got In The Settlers' Way Massacre?

Keep up the good work, Mr. Drackman. With friends like you, Prof. Bernstein, and the other clingers, Israel won't need much of anything soon enough.

[Frank Drackman]

Maybe not a good idea to feed Terrorists, or maybe do like they do with the Orca's at Sea World, feed them "From a Distance" (Great Tune, I remember hearing it in Kuwait, 1991, where were you? I mean Geographically, not Anatomically)

Frank

[mike petrik]

The power of Christ compels you. The power of Christ compels you. The power ….

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

Four dollars and three powers of Christ might buy a decent cup of coffee these days.

[mike petrik]

Things would be cheaper if you would remove yourself from Biden’s shoulder.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

Pres. Biden claims to share your enthusiasm for superstition.

Yet you seem to support a vainglorious, vulgar, cheating, lying, two-Corinthianed boor who mocks religion and the religious (although plenty of believers are too stupid to recognize when they are being played for suckers, perhaps because they are gullible by nature and definition).

You don't seem to be an effective person.

[mike petrik]

Trump is a man of wealth, unlike you, a man of wealth and taste.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

How do you gauge Trump's wealth? From his boasts? Or his fake financial statements?

Trump is a morbidly obese, sputtering, delusional, angry old man raging at the world from his tiny screen. His wife detests him. He has become a serial defendant and judgment debtor seemingly destined to die in prison. He has been revealed and adjudged as a liar, a cheat, a defaming asshole, and a man who sexually assaults women. After inheriting his life, he has a string of bankruptcies, a longer string of failed businesses, and a well-deserved international reputation as a deadbeat. He is a vainglorious, vulgar, bigoted boor. He associates with misfits, losers, sycophants, and un-American assholes.

His taste run from shitty fast food and golden toilets to fake-breasted mistresses and terrible lawyers headed toward disbarment.

He's probably what you envision a wealthy, successful, respected man must be like, though.

[Randal]

I know, I just about spat when mike called Trump a man of taste.

Maybe he's joking? I can't imagine Trump is anyone's definition of "tasteful."

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

I forgot to mention that plenty of right-wing law professors at this blog are scared shitless (and speechless) by Donald Trump. What a bunch of character-deprived, whimpering cowards.

[mike petrik]

To help with your reading comprehension, try this:

"Trump is a tasteless man of wealth, whereas you are a man of wealth and taste. Clear now?

[Randal]

That is the natural reading, but it struck me as an even stranger thing to say.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

It seems more a case of poor writing than poor comprehension.

It also doesn't make much sense.

Especially after the courts and plaintiffs (not to mention, it seems likely, tax collectors) are done with Trump and his "wealth."

[mike petrik]

It is strange only because you are a cultural illiterate. No sin in that, but avoid the near occasion of Kirkland.

[Randal]

Please, enlighten us as to the cultural import of your comment.

[Absaroka]

Did you see this part of the OP:

"My role at these demonstrations is not as a participant or supporter, but as an observer to ensure safety and well-being of the entire community, including those who might be targeted by the protest.
When asked by the student newspaper why I was there I told them this as well, ***but that part of my quote was not included in the article.***"

Deceptive quoting can be a thing.

[ObviouslyNotSpam]

You're telling someone who just selectively quoted. I think he knows.

[Estragon]

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about David over the years, it’s his thin skin. I expect a pissy response in 12 hours or less

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

Maybe we could get a Blackman-Bernstein crossfire going?

[Mr. Hook]

Except that Prof. Volokh is undeniably a figure on the right and of higher standing. If there's a response, it'll be respectful disagreement. If Volokh's response were made by a liberal academic or, worse, a student, Bernstein would be swinging the antisemite hammer wild and hard.

[Randal]

I expect a pissy response in 12 hours or less

Well, it took ~26. Maybe he's mellowing out (slightly) in his old age?

Still pissy though. Old and cranky.

[Sarcastr0]

Yeah, this stood out to me as well: "She later claimed that she wanted to make sure the protestors right to protest was protected, as if roving mobs of Jewish students have been the problem on campus" is absolutely a ridiculous framing.

[Bob from Ohio]

She said that "protect the protestors" was a purpose. Who did she think was a threat?

[Sarcastr0]

I don't see why you need a particularize suspicion to want to make sure a protest isn't disrupted.
Spontaneous counterprotests are not like a rare thing on campus these days.

Heck, if you read the OP you see there were concerns about outsiders escalating the protest beyond it's intent as well as being disrupted.

But it was the strawmanning that stood out to me. Instapundit mocked the idea that Jewish students were the problem on campus. But no one said that.

[Bob from Ohio]

"Spontaneous counterprotests" by whom?

[Sarcastr0]

Anyone who feels strongly on the other side of the issue. Campuses have no shortage of strong political feelings.

I encourage you to read the OP, which goes into more detail and reporting that seems to validate the DoS's rationale as legit and in good faith.

[Bob from Ohio]

"Anyone who feels strongly on the other side of the issue. "

At Columbia? In NYC?

MAGA! No. Third Temple Dispensationalists? No

Um, who could it be?

[Sarcastr0]

While I cannot speak to Columbia specifically, I'm comfortable with the assumption that the school is not wall-to-wall anti-Zionists and then a few Jewish students.

[Bob from Ohio]

"Columbia’s 1,500 undergraduate Jewish students comprise 23% of the undergraduate student population, and the 3,500 Jewish graduate students comprise 16% of the graduate student body." ADL

Most of any "counter-protestors" are going to be Jews. We have actually seen this in practice this week, without any violence of course from the Jews.

DB is right in his framing and you are being disingenuous, just like the dean and the press release.

[Sarcastr0]

Most of any “counter-protestors” are going to be Jews
I don't believe that is a safe assumption. On either side.

We have actually seen this in practice this week, without any violence of course from the Jews.
If you're using Columbia to generalize, you're already making a lot of mistakes.
The protestors were not mostly students, at least as reported right now.
I don't think you can assume there were no counterprotests just because they didn't get any press. Maybe there weren't, but on a college campus you can't just assume that.
And of course you love the drama at Columbia but that doesn't mean you get to generalize it when it's demonstrably not analogous to NW. Northwestern doesn't seem to be going through anything at the level Columbia did.

[Bob from Ohio]

Darn.Wrong college. Hard to keep track of all the pro Hamas protests.

"Northwestern University’s 1,200 undergraduate Jewish students represent 14% of the undergraduate student body; its 1,000 Jewish graduate students represent 7% of the graduate student population."

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

Hamas sucks.

Israel sucks.

Jesus is a fairy tale character for especially gullible children.

Welcome to the real world, Bob the Bigot.

[Sarcastr0]

Protesting against Israel is not something I agree with, but calling it pro-Hamas is just picking fights because you want everyone not with you to be against you.

Which does not help, actually. Unless all you want is an excuse to call people who you don't like terrorism supporters.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

.

Protesting against Israel is not something I agree with

Why not? Can't find your -- or any -- moral compass?

Or have you acquired a taste for indiscriminate killing of children, induced famine, and settler violence?

[Bob from Ohio]

"calling it pro-Hamas is just picking fights"

No, its a result of all the chanting of pro-Hamas statements at the various protests.

Point out any of the protestors who condemn October 7? You can't.

[Sarcastr0]

all the chanting of pro-Hamas statements at the various protests

Ah yes, collective guilt and generalization. Not picking a fight at all.

Point out any of the protestors who condemn October 7? You can’t.
You are making an assumption due to lack of evidence. That's not how that works, and you know that.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

.

without any violence of course from the Jews.

Of course . . . in the bigoted right-wing dumbass version.

In the reality-based world, however . . .

Carry on, clinger. For so long as your betters permit, anyway.

[Frank Drackman]

You been to any Ivy League Schools recently? that's exactly what they are.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

She could protect the protestors from themselves. She could protect the protesters from the assholes on the other side of the issue. Anyone who objects to her conduct is acting in bad faith or is a hopeless dope. Or, in the case of some Volokh Conspiracy fans, both!

[NvEric]

No one on campus could or can be a target of those protesting. To say "... including those who might be targeted by the protest," could never be true in this instance since being Jewish is not a crime, nor can any protest be legitimately be directed towards any other student on campus. The protest can only be toward the actions of those involved over there or the US federal government.

In the larger scheme of this current issue of protests, as is with maybe most conflicts, truth and honesty are hard to come by. Meaning actual dialog these days is nil to none. Mindless anger directs too many to be angry and does not allow that anger to be effective in the location of where their anger should be directed directly, as in taking up the actual struggle in Gaza instead of simply being obnoxious, loud, and threatening in the safety provided here. There seems to be no goal other than being obnoxious and historically bereft.

However, these times are a throwback to might makes right. It's a short distance to barbarism, as that is the bread and butter of Islam. And so thus, it is so that each is free to engage, once again, to a time absent of legal law and into that type of law provided by scripture of our two deadliest for their never ending battle for a scrap of land.

May God have mercy to all desiring conflict and please show them the error of their desires.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

" It’s a short distance to barbarism, as that is the bread and butter of Islam."

You spelled "Israelis in the West Bank, Netanyahu government, and Israeli Defense Forces in Gaza" wrong.

[mike petrik]

Do you have a job aside from being Lucifer’s priestess?

[Frank Drackman]

Reverend's the Boogie Woogie Buggery Boy of Cell Block "C"

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

Lucifer is a handy figure in a dandy Rolling Stones lyric . . . and that's about it.

Do you genuinely believe that childish fairy tales are true, or do you just pretend to believe silly nonsense to keep up appearances in a backwater church?

(Keith played bass guitar for the studio version . . . one of several standout bass lines from Mr. Richards. With Sympathy for the Devil, Keith provided one of the strongest bass lines and one of the strongest guitar solos around. Keith also contributed the idea that turned it into a samba, with legendary result. The lyrics were Mick's work from a recently translated Russian novel.)

[mike petrik]

Everyone knows you read wiki, Beezlebub. We see your contributions too.

[mydisplayname]

I applaud _any_ university administrator who actually condemns Israel. Condemning Israel -- or at least reminding Israel of its duties as a part of the civilized world -- is an act of bravery.

The United States, through its Department of State, summarizes its findings as follows: "Israel responded [to the attack by Hamas] with a sustained, wide-scale military operation in Gaza, which had killed more than 21,000 Palestinians and injured more than 56,000 by the end of the year, displaced the vast majority of Palestinians in Gaza, and resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis. The continuing conflict had a significant negative impact on the human rights situation in the country. \ Significant human rights issues included credible reports of: arbitrary or unlawful killings, including extrajudicial killings; enforced disappearance; torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by government officials; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; arbitrary arrest or detention; political prisoners or detainees; arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy; punishment of family members for alleged offenses by a relative; serious abuses in a conflict by Hamas and Israel, including unlawful or widespread civilian deaths and harm, enforced disappearances or abductions, torture, physical abuses, and conflict-related sexual violence or punishment; serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, including violence or threats against journalists, unjustified arrests or prosecution of journalists, and censorship; substantial interference with the freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association; restrictions on freedom of movement and residence; serious government restrictions on or harassment of domestic and international human rights organizations; and crimes involving violence or threats of violence targeting members of national, racial, or ethnic minority groups." [see https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/israel-west-bank-and-gaza/%5D

So, we -- that is, Americans -- have found Israelis to be unlawful killers. It is laudable that an American University administrator or student would object to unlawful killings, even when the person found to be a murder happens to be of the Jewish faith (or Jewish creed, or whatever Semitic happens to mean at the snowflake's moment).

In addition to us -- Americans -- many others have found the Israeli murders to be inappropriate: Israel is the Defendant in three cases (styled Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, Alleged Breaches of Certain International Obligations in respect of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Nicaragua v. Germany), and Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel)) pending before the International Court of Justice.

"The Court recalls that, in its Order of 26 January 2024, it concluded that the civilian population in Gaza was extremely vulnerable, noting that many Palestinians in the Gaza Strip had 'no access to the most basic foodstuffs, potable water, electricity, essential medicines or heating'. In its decision communicated to the Parties by letters of 16 February 2024, the Court noted, quoting the United Nations Secretary-General, that the developments in the Gaza Strip, and in Rafah in particular, 'would exponentially increase what is already a humanitarian nightmare with untold regional consequences'. The Court observes with regret that, since then, the catastrophic living conditions of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have deteriorated further, in particular in view of the prolonged and widespread deprivation of food and other basic necessities to which the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been subjected."

But there is one more party -- in addition to the United States and, well, the rest of the civilized world -- which condemns unlawful killings: Israel. In reply to allegations of Genocide, "Israel recognizes that food insecurity in Gaza, and especially in northern Gaza, is a serious challenge, but states that there is an 'extensive record of Israeli efforts in the humanitarian sphere to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population in general and to address the challenge of food insecurity in particular'. Israel refers, inter alia, to the establishment of a maritime corridor and a floating pier, to humanitarian airdrops and the facilitation of aid through land routes, as well as its co-operation with United Nations agencies." But thereafter Israel murdered civilians trying to provide food.

Is there **ANY** plausible claim that Israel is _not_ a nation of murderers which should be sanctioned... or eliminated?

[Frank Drackman]

Killing and Displacing? that's what Wars are all about. Ham-ass started the Killing and Displacing October 7, 2023. Now they're crying like little Bee-Otches because Net N' Yahoo didn't bow to the pressure.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

You think the problems in the Middle East began a few months ago?

The crying little whiners, at this moment, seem to be the remaining defenders of Netanyahu's government.

Those losers will still be crying down the road . . . if they're fortunate.

[Frank Drackman]

The problems for over a 1,000 Israelis began on October 7, 2023 same for the American Hostages Parkinsonian Joe paid ransom for and still haven't been released, I'll bet a conscientious Prosecutor could find some kind of crime there.
Thou doth protesteth too much-eth with the crying/whining bullshit, some of us here have fought in wars, and had family killed in them, you obviously haven't.
Hope that was as good for you as it was for me, EV said I had to stop talking about your (redacted)

Frank

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

Tell us about your “fighting,” Mr. Drackman.

It will enable us to decide how much you contributed to the United States military not winning a war in 75 years.

[Frank Drackman]

My "fighting"?
like Docs have done for thousands of years, treating injured infantrymen, DOD seems to think it's a worthwhile job. Dad dropped bombs on the Zipper Heads, Granddad fought in Patton's 3rd Army, Great Grand Dad in the Great Wah, and of course, the Wah between the States (Drackmans can't get along with anybody) Debatable if Gulf War 1 is considered a "Win" but make sure you've got your Poly-Grip if you say that shit to any Korean/Vietnam/Iraq/Afghanistan Vet, any of whom have more character and courage in a single pubic hair (knew that'd get your attention) than dreamt of in your Philosophy.

Frank

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

DOD values the people who clean the toilets, too.

Most people, especially better people, don't call that "fighting."

Quit while you're behind, loser.

[Frank Drackman]

You've obviously never seen "Patton" (a Religulous Klinger I've heard)
Because it takes a whole Army (see what I did there?) of support peoples behind the Trigger Pullers so they have the Beans, Bandages, Bullets to keep pulling Triggers. And if you weren't a former mediocre Foo-Bawl Coach at a mediocre Big-10(12? 13? 14? that Big-10 math!) College you'd know the Marine Corpse has used the Navy for their Medical Regilous Support since at least the Wah of 1812, you know, your Error.
I get it, you couldn't serve (Homo, and probably not much better now), but Loose Lips sink Ships, so watch your 6 if you spew any of that Bullshit in Pubic.

Frank

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

.

I get it, you couldn’t serve (Homo,

This is your target audience, Volokh Conspirators.

(Related: Have you started packing yet, Prof. Volokh?)

[Frank Drackman]

the "Didn't Serve, (Homo) much better now" is a "Caddyshack" Reference, which is one of the 3 tests I use to qualify/disqualify potential new Gas-Passers. If you get it, you get in, you don't, you don't. Used to see if applicants knew the difference between a Safety Squeeze and the Suicide type, might as well be speaking Sanskrit now a days.

[Dr. Ed 2]

Nuke Gaza

[Magister]

This is inappropriate.

[ObviouslyNotSpam]

Well, that argument sure evolved.

[Frank Drackman]

At least "45" said there were " Very Fine People" on both sides at Charlottesville, but now I'm the bad guy because my Great Great Great etc Ancestors supposedly killed a Surpreme Being who's whole purpose was supposedly to be killed to repay our sins? Because we're killing the murderers who murdered us? I've treated a shit-load of A-rabs in my career, how many Moose-lum Docs treat Jews? Sad state of affairs where my people are safer in Bullitt County Kentucky (I know, "Reverend" full of Klingers) or Pensacola FL than Amherst MA or Berkley CA.

Frank

[Randal]

No, you're the bad guy because you've been keeping the Palestinians in an unending state of hopelessness and desperation for 50 years.

[Commenter_XY]

The arabs (palestinians) kept themselves there, in unending hopelessness; they were more interested in killing Jews than having a state.

Hamas tells me everything I need to know about an arab palestinian.

[Randal]

And the counterargument to that is, of course they want the Jews gone! Israel's been keeping them in an unending state of hopelessness and desperation for 50 years.

The point being, there are two sides (at minimum) to every war. Taking the Palestinian's side doesn't make someone antisemitic any more than taking Israel's side makes one anti-Islamic.

Israel doesn't believe in a two-state solution either. The only other options are an apartheid state, ethnic cleansing, or subjugation through permanent military occupation. Israel's the bad guy in all three, which is why it's losing support.

[Michael P]

Wow, all by himself? Kudos to Frank for spending time commenting here rather than continuing his classic Jewish secret world domination and gas-passing duties!

[Bwaaah]

Good post, Professor. Yours was prudent consideration of the issues and evidence.

It's easy to miss the reasonableness of an action, and to infer malice, when you're primed for Battle Royale. (Anybody around here primed for Battle Royale?)

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

Battle Royale sounds like a rasslin' term.

I was never a rasslin' fan. I blame my education, character, and judgment.

[Frank Drackman]

Lack of all 3? that's about right.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

Rasslin' fans are known for their adequate education, sound judgment, and strong character?

[Frank Drackman]

Mick Foley AKA Cactus Jack/Mankind/Dude Love has more of all 3 in one of his hypertrophied Sarcomeres than wet dreamt of in your polluted philosophy (HT Horatio Stern) Speaks German fluently, attended SUNY, and most important of all, a real "Mensch"
Late 90's I'm doing a Pediatric Anesthesia rotation at Children's in DC (calm down!) One day, players from the Washington Wizards (in last place at the time) visited the sick kids, Players all wearing Hoodies, untied Shoes, Obscene Hippity Hop playing on their Walkmans (it was the 90's) couldn't mumble more than a few "Nome Sane?"s before leaving after maybe 30 minutes.
Mick, OTOH spent most of a day there, with the really sick (i.e. Terminal) kids, and wasn't putting on an act, Ironic, I know, as he's a Pro Wrestler (Check your Dental Insurance before calling it "Rasslin")

Frank

[Commenter_XY]

I agree. A balanced (nuanced?) discussion.

If anything, I think Dean Mona Dugo was acting like 'Mom'. The students are her 'kids'. Mom does not want kids to get into 'real' trouble, like something permanent (think legal conviction). If anything, Mom is an observer that could (and probably would) step in and put a stop to anything that crossed the line egregiously.

Lets see how this story develops. I would like to read more about the track record of Dean Mona Dugo.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

Don’t worry about Dean Dugo. You should spend your time hoping (and praying, like a good clinger) that Israel starts toeing the line of decency fast enough to have a chance to survive.

That, and encouraging anyone you care about in Israel to get the hell out of there while they still can.

[Commenter_XY]

When the last Hamas member eats a bullet and subsequently takes a ride on the One Way Paradise Train to a dirt nap for eternity, my prayers will have been answered. 🙂

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

Just as I will be pleased when my tax dollars no longer are being sent to a bunch of superstition-addled, criminally violent, bigoted, indolent, right-wing assholes in Israel.

That day is approaching in an expedited manner. Most Americans -- especially the educated, modern, reasoning, better Americans -- have tired of Israel's immoral right-wing belligerence.

[Social Justice is neither]

But the university professors and administrators have worked tirelessly to earn that assumption of malice. That this one may be different or simply be a better liar than others doesn't change that.

[Randal]

But I don't think we should just assume such bad behavior...

This is David Bernstein's whole approach, don't you know?

This is how the law works for David Bernstein:

1. Assume your opponent is behaving badly as a premise.

2. Insert arbitrary legalistic verbiage here to make it seem more like a lawerly argument.

3. "Thus proving that my opponent is behaving badly."

[Dr. Ed 2]

No, EV, she was not neutral.

[Internet sloth]

Heads will roll, more like eyes will roll.

[The Margrave of Azilia]

Sounds like Bernstein scored an own-goal by wrongly bashing the Dean. Now the focus is on the Dean and not on the stuff the protesters did.

What *did* they do, anyway?