In Shocking Press Release, Davis College Republicans Oppose Calls of Violence Against People of Jewish Descent
October 27, 2023
I found this on the Facebook page of a group calling itself "Davis College Republicans". This group is stating its opposition to calls of violence against people of Jewish descent and condemns posts by an assistant professor calling for attacks on 'pro-Israel' journalists and their children.
Furthermore, this group is doubling-down on its commitment to the principles of free speech and open dialogue, but also believes that there are limits to these principles when the speech includes threats of violence and harm against any group or individual.
Most shockingly, this group says that it remains dedicated to upholding the values of civil discourse, open debate, and respectful dialogue, and firmly believes that disagreements should be met with discussion and understanding, not with threats or intimidation.
Now that we are aware that a group exists on the UC Davis Campus with values such as these, and openly states these values, the question for all of us in Davis is: what are 'we' going to 'do' about 'it' ? :-|
If you don't believe me that a group with such values could exist so close to us, on our beloved UC Davis Campus, here is their press release, in their own words:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Davis College Republicans
October 23, 2023
Contact: James Murray, Communications Director
[email protected]
Davis College Republicans Oppose Calls of Violence Against People of Jewish Descent
DAVIS, CA- In the past week, Assistant Professor of American Studies Jemma Decristo posted tweets advocating for attacks against, pro-Israel Journalists, and their children. Davis College Republicans unequivocally denounce and condemn these posts.
On October 10, Decristo posted a tweet containing disturbing language expressing threats to "Zionist journalists" who "have houses with address, kids in school" and "they should fear us more," ending the post with emojis of a knife, an axe, and blood.
The Davis College Republicans wish to make it abundantly clear that we unequivocally denounce and condemn these posts. While we hold firm to the principles of free speech and open dialogue, we also believe that there are limits to these principles. Threats of violence and harm against any group or individual are entirely unacceptable and fall far outside the parameters of protected speech.
We stand in agreement with the official statement released by UC Davis, emphasizing the importance of protected speech within our community. However, it is crucial to stress that the tweets in question do not align with this protection, as they promote violence and fear. In order to maintain a respectful and intellectual discourse within our society, we must collectively reject such violent rhetoric.
Davis College Republicans remain dedicated to upholding the values of civil discourse, open debate, and respectful dialogue. We firmly believe that disagreements should be met with discussion and understanding, not with threats or intimidation.
DCR is a local College Republican organization dedicated to growing the conservative movement on the UC Davis campus and in surrounding counties. For more information visit our Facebook and Instagram pages @DavisCollege Republicans.
Are you the same Alan C. Miller who lampooned a local Davis group by saying: "I feel the need to put together a carefully crafted statement about all the bad things going on, everywhere, and that they shouldn't go on, and I condemn them all. That is my carefully crafted statement." ?
Posted by: Roberta L. Millstein | October 27, 2023 at 06:14 AM
Does Jemma Decristo still have a job at UC Davis? Or at least has she been suspended without pay? Enquiring minds want to know.
Posted by: Keith | October 27, 2023 at 06:38 AM
If this is sarcasm—which I can only hope is true—it is incredibly inappropriate and extremely poorly executed. This writing is offensive in so many ways.
Posted by: Lorin Kalisky | October 27, 2023 at 06:45 AM
RLM-- Alan C. Miller: In the end, there can only be one.
Posted by: Alan C. Miller | October 27, 2023 at 07:05 AM
KO-- As far as I know, the latest is the article in the Enterprise last weekend by Monica Stark. It is reported there: "Decristo, who was hired in July 2017, continues to be employed at UCD, the university confirmed Friday afternoon. However, about two and a half hours later, an email to her university account, [email protected], bounced back. Also, as previously reported, on Friday, her bio on the UCD faculty page had been taken down.".
Posted by: Alan C. Miller | October 27, 2023 at 08:08 AM
LK: "If this is sarcasm—which I can only hope is true—it is incredibly inappropriate and extremely poorly executed. This writing is offensive in so many ways."
LK, my writing contains elements of sarcasm, the post on the Davis College Republicans' Facebook page is real. I am not sure which you were refer to as "this".
Your judgement of my writing skills (or that of the College Republicans) is irrelevant to the issues, but thank you for the complient, essentially, that my writing sucks. That was sarcasm :-|
But now on to the issues. You say " . . . it is incredibly inappropriate . . . This writing is offensive in so many ways."
Again I'm not sure if you are talking about my writing or the press release, and I have no idea what you are finding 'inappropriate' or 'offensive', and as far as 'so many ways', please list those ways.
I'm not jerking your chain here, I really want to know, and engage in a discussion. I write provocative things to create discussion, and if anyone would actually engage in discussion I'll gladly do so and minimize the sarcasm and use of the word 'fuck' if the discussion is authentic.
But my experience here, and formerly at the Vanguard (before I was banned/committed-commenticide), is that a small number of a certain sort of people launch insults and then retreat to another platform and launch more insults and condemn Al's Corner. My theory is that they are unable to stand by their arguments in a real discussion, so they shut down discussion by declaring me not worth having discussions with. Nice tactic . . . for cowards.
For the record, I am not a Republican, have never been a Republican, nor would I ever be a Republican. I find many things about the Republican Party too oogy.
Also for the record, I am not a Democrat, once long ago was a Democrat, and will never be a Democrat again. I find many things about the Democratic Party too oogy.
And no, I won't pick one over the other because one is obviously 'more too evil'. They are both too evil as fuck, and we need to initiate national choice voting in this country or we're fucked.
Shocking stuff, I know :-|
So, LK, engage in discussion, or retreat having lobbed one vaguely-worded comment-bomb (and maybe as the cherry on top, insult me on another platform)?
Your choice.
Posted by: Alan C. Miller | October 27, 2023 at 08:36 AM
I don't get it either Alan. What's offensive about your article?
I think we all need a further explanation.
IMO the only offensive thing involved here are the assistant professor's words.
Posted by: Keith | October 27, 2023 at 09:55 AM
This just came up on the Babylon Bee.
https://babylonbee.com/news/colleges-get-to-work-installing-attics-for-jewish-students-to-hide-in-during-violent-rallies
It would not surprise me if Christian Republicans in Davis end up hiding Jewish Democrats in their attics from professors like Jemma Decristo who are hunting them down.
https://thefederalist.com/2023/10/26/after-uc-davis-faculty-blame-israel-for-hamas-attack-students-erupt-in-antisemitic-protest/
Posted by: South of Davis | October 27, 2023 at 01:42 PM
Watched the video embedded in South of Davis' reference. Can't help but think that the "librarian's" voice was dubbed.
As far as Jewish students being threatened in a realistic manner (at the college level), I somehow doubt it.
Racist threats and attacks occur much earlier - in the public school system (outside of places like Davis). That's where you don't want to be white, Jewish, or Asian.
Posted by: Ron O | October 27, 2023 at 04:30 PM
Hey Hey Hey Lorin Kalisky --
Still waiting to find out what offended you.
:-|
Posted by: Alan C. Miller | October 28, 2023 at 01:45 PM
Ok, I guess like progressives (I'm guessing) before them, LK is doing a hit and run, with a hit that makes no sense, and a run that, I'll speculate, is because they can't explain the hit.
So I'll ope this up to all the other individuals in the offended masses of Davis, to explain what LK may have been offended by.
Thank you in advance.
(note: I'm predicting crickets. Prove me wrong!)
Posted by: Alan C. Miller | October 29, 2023 at 11:15 AM
Alan: As with others who make "hit-and-run" attacks, they often can't really explain it. There are several who do so (with one who does so quite often, with mustard and ketchup on it). For the most part, they stick to the Vanguard.
It's a political game for these folks. They target those whose opinions they don't like (or that they "perceive" that they don't like - whether or not that's even a reality).
This is the same reason that folks don't like politics. (Well that, plus the corruptive influences.)
It's also the reason that those whose identity is not consistently and consciously tied-into a political camp don't "fit in".
Or as a former president might have put it, "you're either with us, or again't us."
Alternatively, labeling others as "deplorables". (Though there were some of those.)
Posted by: Ron O | October 29, 2023 at 11:41 AM
"Alternatively, labeling others as "deplorables". (Though there were some of those.)"
Agree, on both sides.
Posted by: Keith | October 29, 2023 at 12:39 PM
Obviously, I can't say for sure what LK was offended by, but perhaps she simply felt it was too serious a subject to treat in anything but the most serious of ways. She doesn't even seem to have been 100% sure that it was satire (or sarcasm, I guess she said), and if it isn't clearly satire, then it risks being misunderstood.
I knew it was satire, but then, I know you often use satire. And I tend to lean toward that way of speaking myself anyway. But not everyone does.
Posted by: Roberta L. Millstein | October 29, 2023 at 12:57 PM
RLM say: "but perhaps she simply felt it was too serious a subject to treat in anything but the most serious of ways."
I know people feel that way like we're Walter Cronkite. I see this more as people chatting in a bar with one too many drinks. Even though I don't drink. Also not sure if the person is she, could be he or they.
RLM say: "I knew it was satire, but then, I know you often use satire."
I do . . . but if it was the headline they were referring to and the tone of the article, it was patently ridiculous. When something is that ridiculous, I infer that to be obvious. But with so many real things these days being so ridiculous, it's hard to tell sometimes. But just because the world has gone insane doesn't mean I won't my absurdity & sarcasm. Sarcasm lives! Absurdity rules.
Posted by: Alan C. Miller | October 29, 2023 at 06:31 PM
Ok, whatever. You asked, I tossed out a hypothesis. I'm not going to continue to discuss a view that isn't mine and may very well not be LK's either.
Posted by: Roberta L. Millstein | October 29, 2023 at 07:00 PM
Not sure why that got a dismissive "whatever". I wasn't insisting on a discussion, just living my truth.
Posted by: Alan C. Miller | October 30, 2023 at 11:03 PM
It got a "whatever" because it felt like I was being argued with when all I was doing was trying to be helpful.
Posted by: Roberta L. Millstein | October 31, 2023 at 02:10 PM
"It got a "whatever" because it felt like I was being argued with when all I was doing was trying to be helpful."
And that is a perfect example of how easily things are misinterpreted on a blog. Especially regarding political issues.
I hadn't noticed the "whatever" until Alan brought it up, after which I was thinking - "yeah, what's up with that"?
Turns out that it was nothing.
Posted by: Ron O | October 31, 2023 at 07:28 PM
Things misinterpreted in a blog comment section? Never!
Posted by: Alan C. Miller | November 01, 2023 at 12:33 PM
OMG I am just seeing this thread and the responses to my comment. I must admit to not often clicking on links to this website. In any event, I will happily provide a thorough response as soon as I have the time. Just sayin’ to nip this in the bud a little bit. Please be patient.
Posted by: Lorin Kalisky | November 03, 2023 at 08:00 PM
Mr. Miller:
Some more detailed responses, per your request.
"This" refers to your blog post. I suppose I'm glad to hear that you intended it to "contain elements of sarcasm"; but even with your clarification I find the sarcasm to be in bad taste.
I think it's pretty clear to the reader that my comment was not a judgment or critique of your writing skills; it was simply a statement of my opinion about the content of your blog post. That said, your spelling is not great. (That was sarcasm.)
Here you go: In an apparent attempt to be funny, your post feigns shock regarding a serious condemnation of violence against Jews in the wake of a horrific terrorist attack.
Violence against Jews, or anyone else, is not funny. Condemning calls to violence, whether the condemnation comes from Republicans or anyone else, is not funny. By satirizing this, you belittle the seriousness of both the alluded-to violence and the condemnation of it. Regardless of your intention, satirizing these topics can be interpreted as a tacit approval of violence—or at least anti-Semitism—especially by someone who is unfamiliar with your "satirical" writing. I find this offensive.
Moreover, your "satirical" piece implies that Republicans would normally not condemn violence against Jews. For the record, I am not a Republican, have never been a Republican, nor would I ever be a Republican. I simply find this premise offensive as a human.
Bravo, you did it! (That was sarcasm.)
I don't know what "sort of person" you think I am and I don't really care. I can tell you that I believe I have a good sense of right and wrong and I am usually not easily offended. I'm also not so self-righteous to purport knowing what "sort of person" you are, and my comment was not intended to be an insult.
But we all know what happens when we ASS-U-ME, right? (That was sarcasm.)
I really don't care.I'm not sure why you're even telling me this.
As far as I know, "oogy" is not a word. I'm usually not easily insulted, either—especially by total strangers who make assumptions about my character.
And please don't expect much in the way to a follow-up. I'm a very busy person and not usually one to comment on blog posts or respond to comments on blog posts, but you passed a threshold in both cases. You can have the last word, if you want.
Your choice. (That was sarcasm.)
Posted by: Lorin Kalisky | November 11, 2023 at 03:41 PM
LK, thanks for responding, in great detail. It's been so long since I wrote this I'm vague on what this was about. I need to reread it. I do appreciate your engaging, and the fact that you answered here clearly means you are not one of 'those people' who run away, but they know who they are. Actually they don't because they ran away. But you didn't.
LK say: "Regardless of your intention, satirizing these topics can be interpreted as a tacit approval of violence—or at least anti-Semitism—especially by someone who is unfamiliar with your "satirical" writing."
Well, considering I have long studied nonviolent conflict resolution, I certainly do not have tacit approval of violence for violence sake, and being that I am Jewish, tacit approval of anti-Semitism would be a tad bizarre. So "No", on both. Clearly whatever my intent was, it backfired in the LK world.
Now to reread what I wrote: reading . . . reading . . .
OK, they say a joke is ruined if you have to explain it. But this wasn't a joke, so I'll ruin it anyway.
There is a lot of demonization of Republicans from the left, especially the far left. Here Republicans are stating that they condemn calls for violence against a people, and even children, and the Republicans are standing up for free speech. It used to be that the left was the oppressed and calling for free speech, and against violence. Four dead in Ohio, etc. So I was feigning shock that the right are the ones calling for the very values the left once stood for. What is there to demonize? Yet the far-left at least seems hesitant to condemn someone calling for violence against people by their beliefs, and their children. This isn't meant to poke in the eye of all who are left, but those who strive to shut down dialog and choose to find violence an acceptable means, if one believe their cause is dogmatically righteous.
Posted by: Alan C. Miller | November 12, 2023 at 09:36 AM
Don't worry about it Alan, the rest of us understood your point.
Posted by: Keith | November 12, 2023 at 06:34 PM