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Carol Gamm's avatar

Thank you Ansley. Trump doesn’t want students with well thought out ideas (whatever their politics are). That’s the point of the whole thing. You are a credit to the University of Virginia. Keep thinking and talking. Informed young people are our future.

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Steve Huntoon's avatar

Thank you Ansley! What Trump has done is horrific. One of hundreds of horrific acts. I'm hoping that the University community will take heed of what you have so eloquently and comprehensively said, and say no more to this wannabe king.

Best wishes,

Steve Huntoon

College '78, Law '82

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Harper Jones's avatar

So well said, as always! An almost unimaginable time for UVA but one made much clearer by your words. I can’t wait to read more!

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Brian Watkins's avatar

Welcome Ansley! I don't know much about UVA, but you do a great marketing pitch.

However, you well stated case is irrelevant. The Trump admin doesn't care if UVA is free speech or not, antisemitic or not, or anything else. All they want is for it to submit to him.

How do we fight that?

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Judy Nokes's avatar

Keep writing! So proud of you!

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Elisabeth Doty's avatar

Instant subscribe as long as Ansley is writing. Always appreciate your thoughtfulness and insights!

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Rain Robinson's avatar

Excellent essay about the pressure felonpotus exerts on universities, specifically UVA in this column, to abolish any hint of DEI efforts, and to install "conservative" administrators and professors to essentially rid any free speech at campuses. I read the Dept of Education's strictures on DEI, and branding such efforts as "discriminatory", while also branding protests not aligned with fpotus's views, as "anti-semitic". The Dep Ed also decrees that accreditors of educational institutions adhere to anti-DEI initiatives, and refuse to accredit "undesirable", "woke" universities. These efforts are smokescreens to establish white supremacy, not only in the federal government apparatus, but also in universities, law firms, businesses, and non-profits. Only White, straight, men are worthy, in this regime's view, to be employed, educated, in politics, and in charge of women. Fact.

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Barnation Station's avatar

I'm new to reading your work but this was the perfect article to actually reason a "both-sides" scenario that is good.

Trump wants an IVY league education, the NOBLE (his spelling) Peace Prize for absolutely anything, even negotiations with the Taliban directly, that left the Afghan gov't out that now he refuses the Afghan people's need to flee the terror they live in, hiding history, hiding his own failures, erasing truth and outright punishment of any dissent.

His ego, by not being his father's namesake, and never being accepted in the elite inherited money society in NYC, is his trauma leading to ours.

Universities, from community college to Harvard, give one the opportunity, if chosen, to pursue their goals. Those who aren't destined to go to college should have the same opportunity to flourish in America.

He won't allow it. It is disgusting and it is a childhood trauma that power, money, the capitulation, his threats to human lives all over the globe, will feed what his reptile brain craves but it will never be enough to fill the void he should address by accountability, humility, and humanity.

Thank you for your article.

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Cheryl Adelman's avatar

Thank you for your important excellent heartfelt work.

Speaking out is an important part of the fight. I needed to read this today.

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Jenifer Flynn's avatar

Terrific article, Ansley. My husband and I, and our son are all UVA alums. Like you we are appalled, angered and saddened by the unAmerican, unprecedented intrusion by MAGA political appointees into the administration decisions of US colleges and universities. This is like something out of Mao's Cultural Revolution, trying to punish educated elites and force one ideology on people.

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madie fose's avatar

Ansley, I rarely read through anything, but I couldn't stop reading with colors flying around in my head! Thank you for putting into context so articulately my thoughts exactly. I'm of Vietnam era and when I see young people with these sparks I know this world has hope. Madie Fose

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Linda Canonica's avatar

Thank you, Ansley. Please keep up the good work!

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Lynn Sherick's avatar

It’s Projecting 2025. The Heritage Foundation and Claremont Institute consider liberal colleges their competition. It’s a coup and the preparation of their competition in liberal colleges is being eliminated. All part of the plan…

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Talia Giordano's avatar

Welcome Ansley!

You’re right. That’s exactly what trump wants, because truth is trump’s kryptonite.

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GW B's avatar
4dEdited

Liberte, Unite, Egalite!

A blast from the past . . .

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_XVI_Saying_Farewell_to_His_Family

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