Trump threatens to cut UC Berkeley funds over Milo cancellation | Hacker News Reader

Trump threatens to cut UC Berkeley funds over Milo cancellation

nydailynews.com

15 pointsrishabhd11 comments

This move actually has "Yuge" implications, when we consider the context: apparently satisfied with his success in laying down his agenda in broad strokes, as he did in the first few days after assuming power -- he's now attempting to micromanage; or more simply stated, outright bully all (perceived) opposition into submission -- at about the smallest scale the federal government could possibly be concerned with. Which has always been one of the defining characteristics of malignant autocrats (as opposed to arrogant jerks who happen to find themselves in the seat of power) throughout history.

More context from the Daily Californian, FWIW:

http://www.dailycal.org/2017/02/02/trump-condemns-uc-berkele...

Antifascists acting like fascists only enabling their perceived threat of fascism even further... If it's a nonsensical fight these people are looking for, they seem to be inching towards bringing it to fruition regardless of who's right or wrong. Reminds me of the same mentality behind these progressives. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHhy2Gk_xik

Those are certainly interesting topics. But the bigger point is that it's not the President's job to, at the drop of a hat, start bullying and threatening people in far-off branches of government to do his bidding on whatever micro-issue happens to roil his rapidly calcifying brain at 2 in the morning.

(Along with the fact that he couldn't begin to about protecting free speech generally; but rather, free speech for his fanboys and trolls. But that's of secondary importance).

That's one way to spin it. I think he's more likely trying to get people to notice that Berkeley students effectively suppressed Milo's freedom of speech. By saying something controversial, it prevents the story from being buried so quickly, as the leftist MSM loves to do.

I think he's more likely trying to get people to notice that Berkeley students effectively suppressed Milo's freedom of speech.

He isn't just "trying to get people to notice"; he's blatantly threatening to cut off their very lifeblood if they don't jump up and do exactly what he says at the snap of his fingers.

Do you see the distinction?

I don't see how you reached that conclusion.

He's written about this in his book. He exaggerates and says something controversial in order to get people talking about things they'd otherwise like to ignore. Why isn't this a possibility in your mind, here?

He should stick to writing books (through ghostwriters) then. When issued from the seat of power, statements such as these take on an entirely different character. If he isn't aware (or doesn't appreciate the significance) of such distinctions -- and how much real chaos, and pure and utter waste these, and similar statements generate -- then clearly, this just isn't the right job for him.

What "chaos" and what "waste" do these statements generate?

Here is a man fighting against nearly the entirety of the news media which control the main communication channels. If he's not supposed to use misdirection and hyperbole to fight back, how can he possibly expect to get his side of the story out there?

If he's not supposed to use misdirection and hyperbole to fight back, how can he possibly expect to get his side of the story out there?

Beats me. But at least we agree as to the basic nutshell description of his standard communication technique.

Previous thread, currently flagged for some reason: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13552197

You mean "put the question in the public domain for discussion" :

"If U.C. Berkeley does not allow free speech and practices violence on innocent people with a different point of view - NO FEDERAL FUNDS?"

Reply on news.ycombinator.com