Since writing the following piece, USC has decided to cancel the traditional “main stage” commencement ceremony next month citing “new safety measures.”
What a day to be a Trojan
Given all that happened Wednesday, this 1970 USC graduate feels like he has a case of whiplash. Let me explain.
First, Reggie Bush's Heisman Trophy is finally being returned to its rightful owner. I wonder how long it will take him to strike that famous pose again? Hours later, hundreds of pro-Palestinian supporters gathered on campus to protest Israel's war in Gaza. Failing to disperse, university officials called for LAPD backup. In the end, some 90 people were arrested without incident.
I'm guessing Reggie never gave up hope he'd see his Heisman. The same might be said of the protesters who want to protect Palestinian rights. Reggie's vigil was peaceful. Let's hope any further demonstrations on campus remain peaceful as well.
-DF
Speaker Johnson Calls to End Pro-Palestinian Protests, Including by Military Means
House Speaker Mike Johnson is only 52, so he has no first-hand knowledge of what happened 54 years ago at Kent State. Because I am 75, I know what happened. I was a senior at USC when nervous Ohio National Guard troops arrived on campus and opened fire on anti-war protesters killing four and wounding nine.
I'm not saying Speaker Johnson's call to deploy New York's National Guard to Columbia University will result in the same outcome now as it did in 1970, but I do know this: NYPD officers are better trained and experienced than National Guard troops when it comes to handling demonstrators. Before he makes any additional comments, I urge Mr. Johnson to consult with older lawmakers who remember exactly what happened at Kent State.
-DF
Homeless in Los Angeles
Wednesday's Los Angeles Times carried three major stories about homelessness. First the paper’s editorial; second, Robin Abcarian's column; and third, news about the topic on the front page of the California Section.
Silly me. I have always thought it's not illegal to live on the streets, but using a storefront as a toilet, lighting trash for heat and threatening passersby should be. Having nowhere to go but the streets should not be against the law.
Turning our backs on the root causes of homelessness will not reduce the number of people living on the streets. Nor will jailing someone for being homeless. If that ever becomes law, then I'd say society has committed the real crime, not the person who seeks shelter wherever that happens to be.
-DF
In response to comments by Denny Freidenrich, I wrote the following ( below) that was registered as my Substack by mistake.
Without the rule of law that the Supreme Court abdicated yesterday, nothing matters unless:
1. Biden wins by a considerable margin and a Democratic Congress is elected
2. That Biden and staff then pack the Supreme Court.