Maybe, maybe not.
Odds are much better "for" as a shutdown would play into the administration's hands.
Having been on both sides of a shutdown or two (thanks for the paid vacation), here's my observation:
The parts that the public finds useful will be shutdown (payments, parks).
The parts the government finds useful will not be shutdown (collections, congressional perks)
On ZeroHedge: "Judge Reinstates Fired Professor Who Called Charlie Kirk A Nazi"
Reading the story, the professor's comments were made on his personal web site; nothing associated with the university. The university bowed to political pressure and fired him.
Freedom of speech includes speech you don't like.
On the other hand, the university cited the following as justification of termination:
“unfitness to discharge the trust reposed in public university faculty members or to perform assigned duties” and a policy requiring professors, even as private citizens, to remain accurate and respectful.
But I can see the university's point of view as well. Even in private, the professor at least informally represents the university. The university is allowed to define the criteria used to select employees - and is not covered by 1st Amendment protections (although an employee of a state university is an employee of the state government).
One might think someone in the professor's position would be smart enough in this day and age to not spout off such feelings on a public forum.
I might have to agree with the university - the speech itself may be free but there are other costs that must be paid.
Continue reading →A sample of some obscure – and some maybe not obscure – tunes from my strange and off-the-wall collection.
Today’s selection: Tommy James & Shondells "Crimson & Clover" 1968
Her name was Diane. Blonde, large dark eyes. There was something about her.
Of course, I was far too young and had no idea what that something was.
I bought her this record as a present - must have been Christmas 1968.
I was certainly old enough to learn something about "that something" though.
It can be one-sided; she never spoke to me again.
Continue reading →