It's a shame that people have to wait all those years before feeling safe enough to express their opinions. I think that more than a few just give up and leave academia altogether which is a real shame. I'm glad you stuck with it.
BTW, I've been coming here for six years now. It's a great place for moral and intellectual support. The range of opinion and knowledge here really belies the liberal stereotype of conservatives.
"I think most academics think that a person that prizes the life of the mind will take change in the world seriously and regards mental flexibility as essential. I think that both of these areas would be regarded as more liberal than conservative."
I'm still wondering about it. Sometimes I don't get the mind-bending of philosophers very well, but I thought that philosophy would make him look at the article from a broader viewpoint, and perhaps open his mind (since he is often involved with college committees.) Does he mean that liberals are more broad-minded with more flexible minds? I think the article posited just the opposite.
BTW, I've been reading FR for 5-6 years, but not on a regular basis. My husband has had the greatest time posting for all that time (or longer). Now I know why. It's great to "meet" everyone on line, or at least connect ideas.