EDITORS' CORNER
OPINION: They believe they’re on the right side of history by trashing Israel, capitalism, etc.; nothing could be further from the truth
How is it that overprivileged, never-been-said-‘no’-to rich kids end up acting so stupid and supporting the most ridiculous causes?
This past week, The Boston Globe had a remarkable, and rather lengthy, piece on how a spoiled brat from a wealthy northeastern U.S. family became an anti-American and Israel-hating radical.
The Globe surely knows its audience (which certainly isn’t me nor, I figure, most of middle America); it actually tried to make 20-something far-left activist Calla Walsh — who’s traveled to Iran on “state-sponsored” visits and currently lives in Beirut where she regularly posts pro-Hezbollah propaganda and badmouths the U.S. and Israel — sympathetic to the public.
For example, she was a “rising star.” “Singular in her ability to win attention and channel it toward her goals.” “Liked talking shop with reporters more than doing her calculus homework.”
Then came the excuse-making: The press elevated her popularity too quickly for her age. Democratic campaigns with which she worked didn’t “nurture” her properly. An older guy had a relationship with her. She “came to political consciousness facing bleaker economic prospects than their parents, fearing climate catastrophe, and grappling with a pandemic.”
Oh, and shocker: Both her parents are academics.
Your average American likely (and rightly) will guffaw throughout the piece — another privileged rich kid (her private grades 5-12 school costs almost $66,000 per year) trying to make a brand out of herself for what — to rebel? Assuage guilt over her affluence?
Whatever the case, Walsh is the perfect example of what Lenin dubbed “useful idiot.”
Former Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro, the scheduled speaker at Georgetown Law School’s commencement had once used that exact term allegedly to describe Jews who “condemn Israel.”
This in part recently led to some Walsh-like crybullies demanding he be replaced. And they got their wish: Schapiro ended up withdrawing as the speaker.
(For a glimpse of some of the nonsense with which Schapiro had to deal during his tenure at Northwestern, see here.)
Georgetown Law students Grace Kiple, Mari Latibashvili, Henry Mitchell, and Kayla Armantrout, who, if they don’t get any assistance pay over $83,000 a year for tuition (ranking in the top 15 for law schools in the country), didn’t want Schapiro to speak because he “holds controversial, Zionist, and harmful opinions.”
That’s literally what a petition that Kiple (pictured) created states. And these folks want to be lawyers.
Look further at what these future magistrates whined about Schapiro: Regarding his scheduled appearance, Kiple said to herself “I was just like, ‘I am so done with this. This is the last straw.’”
Latibashvili called the choice of Schapiro “an absolute shame” and said his views on the “genocide” in Gaza “are despicable and disqualifying.” Armantrout said Schapiro’s opinions are not only harmful, they’re “actively harmful.”
But Mitchell had the kicker line, so indicative of the privileged, holier-than-thou mindset: “Georgetown Law is too prestigious to have someone with no connection to lawyering speak at our commencement — let alone someone who holds views that make many students feel actively unsafe. Do better” (emphasis added).
Schapiro “merely” was the president of two universities and has a doctorate from an Ivy League university. “Prestigious” indeed.
What are Kiple and Armantrout going to do in the courtroom — object because opposing counsel said something “(actively) harmful” in his closing remarks? Will Latibashvili challenge a judge’s right to hear a case because he once made a comment supporting Israel in its conflict with Hamas?
These crybullies also are kindred spirits to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Seattle’s Katie Wilson — entitled neo-adults well-versed in Oppression Studies who’ve yet done nothing of substance in their lives, but somehow have managed to convince others they’re competent.
Fortunately, they still have plenty of time to see the light.
MORE: Georgetown law professor calls Antonin Scalia ‘defender of privilege, oppression and bigotry’
