An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
Each year, on Labor Day Weekend, political scientists from across the country meet to present and discuss their research. At this year’s meeting, in Seattle, fellow Ricochet blogger John Yoo was a member of the panel, “The 150th Anniversary of Fort Sumter: Lessons for Presidential Power Today.” He presented his paper, “Rehabilitating Lincoln.”
At least that was his plan. Instead, a protestor disrupted his presentation. Eventually, security had to oust her from the event.
Below is the video.
John displayed an incredible sense of poise and humor. He began with a one-sentence thank-you to R. J. Pestritto for organizing the panel. Except he was disrupted before he could finish that sentence. Once security escorted the protestor from the room, Yoo continued his thank-you, “I’d like to thank R. J. for making me feel at home, arranging for part of my entourage from Berkeley to accompany me.”
I have sent a letter to the officers of APSA, asking them to condemn the disruption. Stay tuned.
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Dec '10
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
The tyranny of the minority. Well played on John's part. Those of us who live near Seattle sometimes refer to it as San Fran North or the Califonia Crazy Overflow. We're lucky enough to have direct Amtrak service to ship them up here when Cali is full up.
Sep '10
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
Eventually is right. jeez. Where have all the cowboys gone?
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
Someone posted this as a YouTube comment (the go-to place for civility and brilliance):
Call me old-fashioned but I think she did in fact have a "chance to talk". She had around two minutes- more than she'd have calling into the Mark Levin Show, haha. Plus, although she was pressured, she herself decided that she had spoken enough.
Jan '11
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
The woman demonstrated incivility: she interrupted John Yoo & continued to hold the floor. If she were interested in making her point in a civil fashion, she would have accepted John's invitation to address him during the panel discussion. I wholly agree w/ the member of the audience who stated that she wasn't saying anything new & was boring. Another example of passion instead of compelling speech.
May '10
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
A reminder that physical force has a proper role in social order. A century ago, she would have been thrown out by her peers and learned her lesson. Now, even security officers are afraid to grab her and she is likely to repeat her misbehavior. Verbal persuasion can't solve everything.
Mar '11
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
Or by her ears.
Aaron Miller
A reminder that physical force has a proper role in social order. A century ago, she would have been thrown out by her peers and learned her lesson. Sep 8 at 11:05am
Oct '10
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
I like the comment from someone in the audience telling her to stop torturing them.
Oct '10
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
Out of curiosity, is there video of that talk itself?
Aug '10
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
I can't tell -- due to the warping of the image -- but is that Joe Bessette sitting just in front of the camera?
If so, it would be wonderfully ironic considering Professor Bessette's wrote an excellent book entitled, "The Mild Voice of Reason: Deliberative Democracy and American National Government."
There was nothing mild about the voice of this woman.
May '10
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
Not a flattering aspect ratio.
Oct '10
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
BTW, I uploaded a fix for the aspect ratio on youtube.
Edited on September 8, 2011 at 9:32pmAug '10
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
Putting politics into the American Political Science Association. Less of a science, more of a dogma.
Jan '11
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
"Hot dogs, hamburgers and trimmings are being served in the next room. Come and get it!"
Problem solved.
Oct '10
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
We should get the bay area Tea Party groups to put on counter-protests.
Oct '10
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
I for one, cannot seem to connect the dots between the forum and what point the protester was trying to make. Just who did Lincoln waterboard ?
Get that woman a soapbox in a park somewhere...
Jun '10
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
My compliments to Mr. Yoo on his ability to handle saucy, ill-informed liberals that like to yell. I believe he may have had some experience in this department in the past...
I'd kind of like to hear from Mr. Yoo on how he deals with people who, though perhaps not yelling, still (falsely) accuse him of horrible things. What's your strategy, what is useful, what is not?
Mar '11
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
Wow!!! We never had this much excitement at the Sunday morning panels that I used to get stuck on at APSA.
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
I witnessed this event. You will hear me on the video shouting, "Out!" The woman was a throwback to 1969 -- huge, clothed in a blue Mumu, and full of self-righteousness: in short, Mama Cass in a funk. In a better world, we would have exercised our right to self-defense and thrown her out. As things worked out, we sat patiently for the folks from hotel security to arrive and do the job expeditiously.
What is sad about this is that John Yoo, who is by nature a gentle soul, is frequently subject to this sort of abuse. The woman not only called him a war criminal; she told him that Obama was as well but that he was worse than Obama. Now that last bit is a real insult.
Jan '11
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
I'm reminded of the scene in Young Frankenstein when the scientists in formal attire started throwing fruit and vegetables at Peter Boyle and Gene Wilder. Since when do distinguished scientists bring groceries to scientific demonstrations to hurl at the presenters?
One would have thought that academic professionals would know better than to disrupt an academic discussion.
Still, Professor Rahe, you should always bring some fruit to such gatherings. You never know when you might need it.
Nov '10
Re: An Ugly Incident at the American Political Science Association Meetings
At least this woman waited for the Q&A. This past May I attended a forum in the SF Bay Area at which Prof. Yoo's presentation was interrupted every 10 minutes by a member of the audience trying to shout him down. After the first protester was escorted out of the hall, it was only a short time before a second one popped up. There were about ten of these folks, and had they marshaled their resources, they could have prevented us from hearing anything meaningful. However, giddy with success, when it came time for the third interruption, all the remaining protesters self-activated. They were escorted out, and then there were no more to disturb the evening. Just no self-discipline on the left, I guess.