Snowflakes Melt at Mention of The Donald

For John, BLUF:  The mere mention of Donald Trump brings protests at UML.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

---

"Possible Trump visit to Tsongas Center spurs protest"

This article, from The [Lowell] Sun is reported by Rob Mills and the dateline is today at 0902.

It turns out a UML student has launched an on-line petition that, at the dateline, had drawn 1,700 supporters.  Here is the lede:

LOWELL -- A UMass Lowell sophomore has gathered more than 1,700 supporters for an online petition asking the university to prevent presidential candidate Donald Trump from renting the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell for a campaign appearance.

Ture Carlson, 19, of Auburn, launched the petition just before Christmas on Change.org, a popular petition website where search results reveal over 500 petitions mentioning the firebrand Republican candidate.

From my point of view, this is the money quote:

Carlson noted the diversity in both UMass Lowell and the city in his petition, and said Trump's comments go against the teachings of the university.

And here I thought UMass Lowell was a public institution devoted to free inquiry.  Mr Carlson makes it sound like a Jesuit University.

As a student at UMass Lowell I am strongly opposed to Mr Carlson's petition and his approach to dealing with political discourse in these United States.  If Mr Trump is in the wrong, make the case.  Otherwise, get out of the way of someone who is campaigning for President.  And, for Heaven's sake, don't turn UMass Lowell into one of those places (like Amherst) where the precious little snowflakes have to be protected from a free exchange of ideas.

By the way, if you are interested in attending the Trump Event in Lowell, it will be Monday the 4th of January, at the Tsongas Arena.  The time is 7:00 PM, with a gate open time of 4:30 PM. You can order tickets early at this web site—TrumpLowell.Eventbrite.com.  The way it works is like an airline ticket you print at home and then it is scanned and approved at the gate.  Slick.

Regards  —  Cliff