I want to make a plug, both shameless and, considering the (lamentable) title of my blog, counterintuitive. This weekend is the fall meeting of the Colloquium on the American Founding, and there are a few talks on the docket that would be of interest to folks of all political stripes. These talks are usually pretty well underattended, and for a campus curious and political as ours that’s a shame. Among the several speakers are Ted Cruz, the Texas solicitor general who argued Medellin v. Texas before the US Supreme Court (and won), and Judge Carlos Bea of the 9th Circuit, whose dissent in the 9th Circuit case that went to the Court as Parents Involved v. Seattle School District formed the argument for the winning side in that case–notable because it was, in essence, and affirmative action case. Anyhow, these should all be interesting talks and you all got fliers in campus mail, etc. Just in case the CAF site is here with all the times and locations.
In other news, let’s just hope that when we leave there and march over to watch the debate, there are two people other than Jim Lehrer on the screen. Yikes and a half if McCain blows it off–I just don’t know for whom. Thoughts?
UPDATE 9/27: It was pointed out to me, quite correctly, that I should disclose for all those who don’t know that I’m a member of the “steering comittee” on the American Founding. I’ve decided to make this a topic of a post in the near future, so stay tuned.
3 responses so far ↓
1 Dave Ullman (dullman10) // Sep 26, 2008 at 9:39 am
This IS a shameless plug, especially considering all the other great stuff going on this weekend that progressives on campus might actually be interested in.
First, the Democrats are taking a trip up to New Hampshire to campaign for Barack Obama and Senate hopeful Jeanne Shaheen.
Second, there’s another event going on at the same time - organized by Professor Sarat and the LJST Department - called the Colloquium on the Constitution and the Imagining of America.
But I guess if we pretend that a guy like Stephen Hayward will present a centrist academic approach, or if we pretend that Noah Silverman ‘92 is some type of independent political analyst, then a few unwary progressives might be tricked into going.
2 Aaron Nathan (anathan10) // Sep 26, 2008 at 11:21 am
First of all, Dave is right to point out that the LJST colloquium is going on at the same time. Look and decide for yourself.
I’m not suggesting you blow off campaigning in New Hampshire, Dave. Those of us who are stuck or staying on campus or getting up before noon might even enjoy this. And yes, the LJST colloquium and this one are inexplicably scheduled for the same weekend, which is a travesty and a real inconvenience to students who usually swing by both. If I didn’t think the CAF colloquium had more interesting speakers, or that it is historically underlooked (just as the LJST colloquium is underadvertised) I wouldn’t have made the plug.
Most of all, I resent the implication that anyone on campus, progressive or no, would be so “unwary” as to wander into a CAF event and think they were getting a neutral analysis of the political and jurisprudential scene, or so thickheaded that they would only desire whatever intellectual product is to be gained from sitting and listening to people who principally agree with them.
Dave, your van to NH doesn’t leave until noon. That leaves you plenty of time to get to the two morning talks…
3 Dave Ullman (dullman10) // Sep 26, 2008 at 12:15 pm
I agree that it’s lamentable that both colloquia are on the same weekend. Both have some very interesting speakers and students shouldn’t have to choose.
I didn’t mean to be offensive - though reading back, it sure sounds offensive - so I apologize for my implication that students might not fully understand what it is they’re attending. However, I do think one could argue that there is a disconnect between the advertising of the colloquium and the actual substance.
For example, why is it called the “Colloquium on the American Founding”? It seems that at several of the talks have nothing to do with the American Founding or the political theory associated with it. We’ve also briefly discussed my disappointment with the advertising for Hayward.
For the record, I think it’s great when conservatives come to Amherst. You’re absolutely right - progressives should attend and they should do so with an open mind. Part of the beauty of the liberal arts education is to be surrounded by different and opposing viewpoints. We shouldn’t have to sneak them in under the guise of political independence. Like Barack Obama says, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig. Just kidding.
With a weekend-long rainstorm on the radar, we may not be heading to NH after all. If that’s the case, you have my word that I’ll show up at one of these talks. That is, if you promise to get yourself up to NH before the election, of course.
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