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Thursday, November 7, 2019

UC Irvine Library Tackles Domestic Terrorism





I have been off a week attending a DEA retirees' annual get together in San Antonio followed by three days in Fredericksburg and Dallas visiting old friends and relatives.

When I got back home last night, I found this comment waiting for me in the readers' thread. It was attached to my recent posting on the incident in Grenoble, France.

"Mr. Fouse, You will not want to miss this event at UCI: Confronting Extremism Talks Highlight UCI Faculty on Nov. 19 Tue 11/19, 4:00pm, Doheny Beach ABCD - UCI Student Center. Join engaging talks on the latest research to confront extremism. Complimentary seating, refreshments, and swag bags on first-come, first-served basis with RSVP. Swag bags? See also: https://inclusion.uci.edu/."




"The call welcomes proposals for single investigator or multi-investigator projects to advance the core research, teaching and service mission of the university. This ranges from research and/or creative activities, conferences, workshops, performances, installations or exhibitions; course development, pedagogical innovations, or master classes; to community engagement events. Special consideration will be given to proposals that approach domestic terrorism through inter- and intra-school collaborations, interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary vantage points and/or partner with participating research centers and the university library."



University Library!!??


Image result for uc irvine langston  library
UC Irvine Library

"Deep inside the bowels of a non-descript building....."


(I didn't know they had a swat team.)



In all seriousness, I don't know who sent me this missive, but judging by the language, I am guessing 

it was some UCI department. At any rate, I should not be misled by the fact that it was attached to my 
posting about an Islamic-inspired attack in France. Having attended these  affairs previously, I seriously 
doubt there will be any serious discussion of Islamic terrorism-even as it affects us here domestically.

Nor do I expect much if any mention  made of Antifa, that left-wing organization dedicated to violence
in our streets. What I expect is another bashing of right-wing extremists, white Nationalists, and groups like
the KKK and neo-Nazis. Not that they don't deserve the bashing, mind you. It's just that the subject has been
so politicized. In addition, there will no doubt be many references to Trump and his supporters, and that would
not be fair in my view. There will be very little if any reference to Islamic terrorists. Any reference to anti-Semitism
will be atrtributed to the far right, not the far left and the pro-Palestinian forces on our campuses, such as 
Students for Justice in Palestine and God forbid, the Muslim Student Union/Association. That will be taboo.

Of course, I hope they will prove me wrong, and I challenge them to do so. Do I plan to attend? I seriously 
doubt it at this point. Attending these events becomes rather tiring if you know what I mean. I will make some 
effort to follow up on the event in some form.

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