Dear Colleagues; I'm as surprised at some of the blowback on my post as anyone. And as I wrote in the original post: We all can see these are strange times in America. Strange meaning, in this case, how quickly people turn every little thing into a chance to flare up and turn it into partisan politics. First, I truly meant the post to be informative (and not partisan). Most of the readers on here (the ones I know, at least), are academics, and these matters are in our wheelhouse in interest: especially given the fact that in 7 months we are convening our "International" conference in Elmira. So it is certainly relevant to us. Second: I will say, I'm charmed by the thought that this LIST is no place for "political discourse." Indeed! I suppose this may be a problem of definition, but from where I sit, MT was almost always engaged in some level of political discourse. Third: as an American, I am very proud of our illustrious traditions of protest. MT is one small part of that tradition, of course. But this morning, as I prepare for a class, I've been rereading Letter from a Birmingham Jail. This is a terrific piece of writing of course, one that perfectly lays out a logic of peaceful protest that citizens everywhere can be proud of. 16 months later, King was giving his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. But please recall, when that Letter first came out, how much vitriol and pushback he was getting. In fact, the origin of the Letter has to do with complaints from white clergy, saying be quiet and wait, outsider dude. Personally I'm very proud of our great American tradition of protest. Even though my circulating that article really had nothing to do, originally, with any sort of politicking or protest, I do want to speak out here for our right to notice that aspect of it. Actually, I'm delighted by all the response: this LIST has gotten a little sleepy in recent years. It is comical to be labeled "hard left," for example, thanks for brightening up my morning. I'm pretty sure nobody has labeled me "hard left," at least since the 70s. So I'm flattered and energized, thank you. Over and out... -hb -- Prof. Harold K. Bush Professor of English 3800 Lindell Saint Louis University St. Louis, MO 63108 314-977-3616 (w); 314-771-6795 (h) <www.slu.edu/x23809.xml>