I always enjoyed his pieces here on FR and was quite shocked at his death.
Posted on 12/18/2023 11:37:12 AM PST by Rummyfan
The consequences of Cancel Culture can be more dire than we think
It's been more than three years since former University of North Carolina Wilmington professor Mike Adams killed himself after being pushed into early retirement for offensive tweets. My friend David French and my colleague Robert Shibley wrote powerful articles about it at the time, but I also wanted to say my piece.
I first met Mike Adams back in 2001, when he was under investigation for responding dismissively to a student who was, as Mike summarized later, “blaming the 9/11 attacks on the United States Government,” all while the rubble was literally still smoking.
At the time, I was brand new to FIRE.
Mike and I spoke on the phone many times as his case progressed. During one conversation, I mentioned to him that I was reading Lenny Bruce’s book “How to Talk Dirty and Influence People.” Mike later told me he had read the book at my recommendation, thought it was extremely funny, and explained that it inspired him to reshape his approach to how he would battle for his conservative beliefs: He would develop a more irreverent, jokey, but also in-your-face style, in the tradition of the proto-“shock jock,” Lenny Bruce.
(Excerpt) Read more at greglukianoff.substack.com ...
I always enjoyed his pieces here on FR and was quite shocked at his death.
Me as well.
RIP Mike.
What is truly astonishing is how much abuse has been heaped on President Trump and he seemingly thrives on it. The more abuse dumped on him, the stronger he gets. Most ordinary people would have dropped out of the fight or taken the Mike Adams exit.
I hope that is true and not just a façade that President Trump presents.
Very interesting article. Thanks for posting.
And The Party of Compassion still cheers.
Hate to lose the Good Guys, the supply is far to limited now.
Several of those arrested for the J6 Reigstag event ended their own lives.
Good point. You know something is REALLY wrong when the incessant full weight of the left and the government causes people to do that.
The loss of one’s sense of what is important about one’s own life is devastating. the malice an sheer evil with which the left seeks to destroy people for their goodness is demonic. My rule is to live as long as possible regardless the consequences or contempt heaped upon me. Why sacrifice life to the power of evil when redemption is always possible.
Yes, I know these are shallow words when all joy and hope are gone. But we must say them hoping they will stay the killing hand.
What a kind and sensitive reverie.
I met Mike at CPAC some years ago. A genial and humorous person. I found his columns on Townhall very entertaining. Little did he know how gargantuan the dragon he was fighting would become—marxism on campuses, surrounded by an iron curtain of evil self-righteousness and cruelty.
A serious essay Mike wrote described his nights on his knees in prayer as the seven-year battle over his tenure fight wound all the way to the NC Supreme Court.
A terrible loss. I’m so sad for his fiancée, his father and other loved ones, the Church Universal whom he came to love, and all First Amendment advocates. RIP
My friend David French and my colleague Robert Shibley wrote powerful articles about it at the time, but I also wanted to say my piece.
I knew Mike, had spoken a few times, and had discussed various speaking options at UD. This piece spends a lot of time on the author, rather than Mike.
ping
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