[GK3]

Without wading into the conflict itself, how does a University police itself so everyone feels safe, if students can't exercise civility and self-control? Are students at Stanford and elsewhere really going to take up arms, or is it talk? Do they understand that other people might fight back physically too?  I was in college a decade after the Vietnam era and divestment from South Africa was the thing in my day. That was really students v. trustees and it wasn't violent that I recall. Sashes at graduation. This is student on student. So sad that people fear for their own safety and some may be compelled to leave and find quieter campuses elsewhere to resume their studies.

Where do they all find time for this?  I didn't even have time to sleep when I was in school, much less protest.

I was at Stanford during the Vietnam demonstrations/riots. In most cases this was students against the administration, but there was plenty of violence. It was also not a period of "free speech". If one didn't think shutting down the University was a good idea, it was very wise not to say so in the hearing of others. Those that doubt student on student violence is "just not going to happen" are at least historically mistaken. If you were looking for a "safe place" at Stanford, you weren't going to find it. The serious problems arise when the process of protest / counter-protest becomes an end in itself. The issues that ignited the protest  no longer really matter.

Students can easily find plenty of time to engage in socially acceptable "mass movements", especially in spring quarter. Unfortunately these activities often attract non-Stanford actors. Invited speakers often have an agenda that includes creating an "incident" if at all possible. People from the surrounding community (many of whom do actually have an opinion on the Gaza situation) find anonymity for forcefully expressing their views on the Stanford campus.

All that said, I don't think the Gaza issue is going to generate widespread involvement by Stanford students. While many of them "care", few of them intend to become personally involved in political protest/action on campus. That however can change, particularly if the administration does something that inflames tempers.

I believe you are correct Goose.  There are lot things one can find repugnant about the the current conflict in the Middle East.  But Americans aren't coming home in body bags.  I missed out on the Vietnam Protests at Stanford, I was already there in person  I drank a lot of glasses of Domino Theory Cool Aid.

[GK3]

Without wading into the conflict itself, how does a University police itself so everyone feels safe, if students can't exercise civility and self-control? Are students at Stanford and elsewhere really going to take up arms, or is it talk? Do they understand that other people might fight back physically too?  I was in college a decade after the Vietnam era and divestment from South Africa was the thing in my day. That was really students v. trustees and it wasn't violent that I recall. Sashes at graduation. This is student on student. So sad that people fear for their own safety and some may be compelled to leave and find quieter campuses elsewhere to resume their studies.

Where do they all find time for this?  I didn't even have time to sleep when I was in school, much less protest.

I was at Stanford during the Vietnam demonstrations/riots. In most cases this was students against the administration, but there was plenty of violence. It was also not a period of "free speech". If one didn't think shutting down the University was a good idea, it was very wise not to say so in the hearing of others. Those that doubt student on student violence is "just not going to happen" are at least historically mistaken. If you were looking for a "safe place" at Stanford, you weren't going to find it. The serious problems arise when the process of protest / counter-protest becomes an end in itself. The issues that ignited the protest  no longer really matter.

Students can easily find plenty of time to engage in socially acceptable "mass movements", especially in spring quarter. Unfortunately these activities often attract non-Stanford actors. Invited speakers often have an agenda that includes creating an "incident" if at all possible. People from the surrounding community (many of whom do actually have an opinion on the Gaza situation) find anonymity for forcefully expressing their views on the Stanford campus.

All that said, I don't think the Gaza issue is going to generate widespread involvement by Stanford students. While many of them "care", few of them intend to become personally involved in political protest/action on campus. That however can change, particularly if the administration does something that inflames tempers.

I believe you are correct Goose.  There are lot things one can find repugnant about the the current conflict in the Middle East.  But Americans aren't coming home in body bags.  I missed out on the Vietnam Protests at Stanford, I was already there in person  I drank a lot of glasses of Domino Theory Cool Aid.