Ken WhiteApr 23, 2023

FIRE notes that TPUSA targeted 61 professors in 2021. FIRE doesn’t note that it sponsored a TPUSA “free speech” event in 2017. One of my criticisms of FIRE is that it occasionally has difficulty distinguishing between free speech supporters and people who support speech they agree with.

https://www.thefire.org/news/report-scholars-punished-their-speech-skyrocketed-over-last-three-years

REPORT: Scholars punished for their speech skyrocketed over last three years

A new report from FIRE finds that attempts to punish college and university scholars for their speech skyrocketed over the past two decades, from only four in 2000 to 145 in 2022.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
Show threadSapphic LawyerApr 23, 2023

@Popehat

It's a conservative org masquerading as a free speech org, and occasionally the mask slips.

Show threadKen WhiteApr 23, 2023
@SapphicLawyer it’s litigation history doesn’t support that. But I believe it makes bad PR and emphasis choices sometimes.
Show threadSapphic LawyerApr 23, 2023

@Popehat

Straight from its Wikipedia page.

Show threadAri CohnApr 23, 2023

@SapphicLawyer @Popehat

Hi, worked at FIRE for ~6 years. Can tell you from personal experience, having been a department head who set priorities and managed case intake, that no donor ever influenced or shaped the work we did--it was never even a thought in anyone's mind.

If someone had tried, they'd have been rebuffed. Otherwise, I'd have resigned in protest (along with everyone else).

The argument that an org is conservative if some of its donors are is intellectually lazy.

Show threadRoarshackApr 23, 2023

@AriCohn @SapphicLawyer @Popehat

I don’t think it’s fair calling sapphic lawyer intellectually lazy. The argument also included the wiki statement that it is primarily a conservative org.

Show threadAri CohnApr 23, 2023

@Roarshack

@SapphicLawyer @Popehat

It actually doesn't say that at all. Read it again.

Show threadRoarshackApr 23, 2023

@AriCohn

When I clicked to respond, the quote disappeared. And now again (I’m still struggling figuring out mastodon). I left out libertarian. Although I’m not sure that is what you’re referring to. “doesn’t say that at all”?

Show threadAri Cohn
@Roarshack
The Wikipedia screenshot does not say FIRE is "primarily a conservative organization."
Apr 23, 2023 at 4:55amWeb
Show threadRoarshackApr 23, 2023

@AriCohn

Did you not see my response?

Show threadAri CohnApr 23, 2023
@Roarshack
Yes and it was not responsive
Show threadRoarshackApr 23, 2023

@AriCohn

Ok. I see it was not just libertarian but also that it -supports- conservative and libertarian causes. There may be more that I missed but like I said I’m struggling. It would have been nice to be a bit more descriptive in your responses to me, but I’m not saying it’s your fault. In fact I’m sure you get lots bad faith questions and worse. But I believe I was discussing in good faith.

Show threadAri CohnApr 23, 2023
@Roarshack
No, it says that some of the foundations that *donate* to FIRE support conservative and libertarian causes.
Show threadRoarshackApr 23, 2023

@AriCohn

Indeed there was more I was missing. I appreciate you being clear.