[Andrew Mandelbaum]

So before the protest the University was not going to prevent him from speaking despite his having outed a student in the past and threats to do so again. After the protest he didn't get the platform at Berkeley and it is unlikely they will double down and have him in the future.

Where is the inept part? Partly successful, partly not. Training for future. Imperfect but not inept.

What do you think it looks like to oppose fascism once it has a foothold when the police are more likely than not to be sympathetic to the brown shirts and the general populace is often too busy watching netflix to be bothered? Tea parties and a round of Partisan Chutes and Ladders?

[William A. Baurle]

Andrew,

To use Cobb's word, the rioters were "inept" because, as Cobb explained in the article, it only served to draw more attention to Milo, which is exactly what Milo wants. They gave him the very thing he desires the most: more exposure, more time in the limelight, an extra few seconds to his allotted 15 minutes.

My personal objection has been outed several times: smashing things and starting fires (arson - a capital crime) puts innocent people in harm's way.

To repeat: there IS a time for violent retaliation to tyranny, but we are not at that point.

Yet.

Can I ask a question? Do you think it's okay for transgender males to use women's bathrooms? Or vice versa?

I read this article, but don't yet know what kind of spin has been put on it, so I'm still a wee tad in the misty area.

Milo said this:

“I see you don’t even read your own student media. He got into the women’s room the way liberals always operate, using the government and the courts to weasel their way where they don’t belong. In this case he made a Title IX complaint. Title IX is a set of rules to protect women on campus effectively. It’s couched in the language of equality, but it’s really about women, which under normal circumstances would be fine, except for how it’s implemented. Now it is used to put men in to women’s bathrooms. I have known some passing trannies in my life. Trannies — you’re not allowed to say that. I’ve known some passing trannies, which is to say transgender people who pass as the gender they would like to be considered.” - [emphasis mine]

He goes on to make a remark that doesn't further his cause in the least. He seems to like taking one step forward and two steps back, and by that I mean: When you need to be plain and serious, do it, and save the chuckles and jokes for another context, another time (ie, in private!).

I am sorry for this UW-Milwaukee student Milo drew worldwide attention to. I hope he will be safe. He's the hapless "pawn outplayed by a dominating queen," to use an Elton John (via Bernie Taupin) quote that's been rattling around in my head for weeks.

Milo seems to be affluent, prideful, boastful, and reckless. He's smart enough to know that he's a major target himself, not just for the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, but for an actual bullet. Maybe he wants to die young and handsome, like James Dean. I'd rather die old and ugly.