I never thought I would live in a country where being an academic is potentially a target on your back

[drray23]

After the Kirk murder, the right-wingers on social media are openly calling for getting rid of universities and hunting down academics.
In fact, my colleagues at Hampton University were on lockdown yesterday. One of several universities that received threats.

When I was a teenager, I had to deal with being bullied because I was a "nerd". I never thought I would have to worry about telling somebody I do not know what my occupation is and potentially be in danger for it.

[RandomNumbers]

1. There is a war on intelligence in this country.

Predating the Kirk murder, obviously.

It has only occurred to me recently that it what it is, but it has clearly been going on for a long while.

Case in point, current administration: Worm-brain is worried about vaccines, and fluoride in water ... when was the last time we had a focused national effort to FINALLY clean up lead in pipes, classrooms, and other places? Of course we aren't doing the latter, because lead in pipes is GREAT for the kind of subjugated population the reich-wing wants. But the effects of lead exposure GREATLY outweigh the effects of an occasional slight over-exposure to fluoridation (in the case of a water supply not being properly monitored).

They want us stupid, or at least behaving as if we are stupid.

[Redleg]

2. This is frightening stuff

Accusing us of indoctrination? Ferfucksake, I can barely get my students to read the assigned readings.