In Jan-2015 I made the decision to leave my job (Professor of Biophysics) in Virginia and move to Canada. Students of history will realize that I was not fleeing Trump. But in fact, I was. I didn't like the direction of US politics, and particularly the direction of the Republican Party. I thought they were endangering our democracy.
I am now a Canadian permanent resident, due to be sworn in as a Canadian citizen in a few weeks.
Congrats on the impending citizenship! It does look as if you won't escape Trump so easily but I am hopeful that sanity will prevail and the 51st state nonsense goes away.
I still remember 1979 (or the movie Argo). When Americans in trouble in Teheran sought refuge after the fall of the US Embassy they went to the automatic first choice of any sensible American, the Canadian Embassy.
I'd like to think the same logic applies today, but the short term trend lines aren't good. More Trump wreckage to be repaired...
Trump says a lot of stupid stuff that never happens. He also says a lot of stupid stuff that does happen. I'm hoping the 51st state nonsense is of the former type. I think it probably is.
So far the main effect, as Dan noted in his "dumbest motherfuckers" post, has been to elevate the Libs from almost certain losers in the upcoming elections to the party favored to win.
Unless you were at serious physical risk or had reason to believe your ability to work and provide for your family were truly in danger, I can't say I admire your decision. You can live wherever you want, but fleeing the nation when it is at greatest risk is, shall we say, not a great look.
I'm both a Fletcher alum and an immigrant who's held all the visas, GC, before becoming naturalized. This feels personal. I was just at the protest at Powderhouse Park for Rumeysa Ozturk, the grad student who was arrested. They've apparently moved her to Louisiana already which is horrifying.
It was gratifying to see hundreds of protesters, young and old, and families too. It did devolve a bit into a pro-palestine thing which was mildly irritating because I'd rather they stayed focused on first amendment issues and DHS excesses. But apparently they went back to chanting more general 'people united will never be defeated' type chants (after I'd left). All to say, I feel a tiny bit more hopeful tonight.
Good for you. But after years of reading, I would expect nothing less. I have a daughter with dual citizenship, here and France, but she lives and works there. I too will not leave. Too old, too stubborn, too mean. I want to be here for went these unspeakable people get theres.
I live in France; it might be headed the same way in a couple of years. I mean, countries that only 30 years ago or so were under Soviet rules, are electing pro-Russian puppets, or barely avoding so.
That's the world we live in, not just the US
but yes, US are lost, there's no coming back from this
I understand your decision, but I am very supportive of those who have chosen to leave (especially Timothy Snyder, given how outspoken he has been about the US descent into authoritarianism).
I support you Dan. I respect your decision, but also Tim Snyder's, whom might be more of a target than most these days (he certainly is for Russia). That said, please stay safe and observant. This shit's about to get a lot worse.
Thanks for staying. I am a Canadian and do think about returning, but I have made my home here in the US with my wife and my friends. There is so much in this country that is worth saving.
American academics and civil society ought to be calling their peers in the Global South to learn a thing or two about opposing authoritarian regimes.
Columbia showed less spine than many universities in places like Pakistan, where speaking truth to power can get you taken “on a tour of the north” as folks there often like to say.
As a Tufts alum - undergraduate and Member of the of the co equal Article 1 branch of the government for 36 years thanks for speaking out on this and congratulations on the position of Academic Dean. Peter DeFazio US Rep 4th District Oregon(ret) but still fighting to save our Representative Democracy in these dark times.
As Timothy Snyder wrote, if they can disappear illegal immigrants without due process, they can disappear citizens because how can they prove their citizenship without due process?
Oh thank goodness channel 5 and the globe are accurately reporting this! Come on people of Boston get into the streets to protest this! This is kidnapping.
I'm staying, on the assumption that being a white dude will improve my odds, and also because there is no guarantee that the rest of the world will resist the call of fascism. Trump has done permanent damage to U.S. global power and influence, but the United States still has a chance to remain a democracy.
Depressingly, Trump has lost almost no support since the election, despite failing to deliver on any of his economic promises. Implication is that a near-majority of US voters support fascism, and will continue to do so. For a dictator already in power, 49 per cent support is more than enough.
Professor Drezner: does it seem that most Trump decisions (tariffs, attitude toward Allies, weakening America with government chaos) always seem to benefit Russia more than the U.S.? Can you look at his decisions with a benefit-Russia lens?
Please do leave. And then when the ones staying behind have fought successfully to save our nation, we shall graciously consider whether to let you return.
I respect your decision Dan and I am not sure what I would do in your position. What I do know is that I and my wife used to love visiting the US but we have put a hold on any trips for the time being, possibly for a good number of years.
In Jan-2015 I made the decision to leave my job (Professor of Biophysics) in Virginia and move to Canada. Students of history will realize that I was not fleeing Trump. But in fact, I was. I didn't like the direction of US politics, and particularly the direction of the Republican Party. I thought they were endangering our democracy.
I am now a Canadian permanent resident, due to be sworn in as a Canadian citizen in a few weeks.
Welcome to Canada! 😊
Congrats on the impending citizenship! It does look as if you won't escape Trump so easily but I am hopeful that sanity will prevail and the 51st state nonsense goes away.
I still remember 1979 (or the movie Argo). When Americans in trouble in Teheran sought refuge after the fall of the US Embassy they went to the automatic first choice of any sensible American, the Canadian Embassy.
I'd like to think the same logic applies today, but the short term trend lines aren't good. More Trump wreckage to be repaired...
Trump says a lot of stupid stuff that never happens. He also says a lot of stupid stuff that does happen. I'm hoping the 51st state nonsense is of the former type. I think it probably is.
So far the main effect, as Dan noted in his "dumbest motherfuckers" post, has been to elevate the Libs from almost certain losers in the upcoming elections to the party favored to win.
Assuming, of course, that the elections are free and fair.
Welcome to our club.🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
Unless you were at serious physical risk or had reason to believe your ability to work and provide for your family were truly in danger, I can't say I admire your decision. You can live wherever you want, but fleeing the nation when it is at greatest risk is, shall we say, not a great look.
Good for you
Congrats, Academic Dean Drezner.
I'm both a Fletcher alum and an immigrant who's held all the visas, GC, before becoming naturalized. This feels personal. I was just at the protest at Powderhouse Park for Rumeysa Ozturk, the grad student who was arrested. They've apparently moved her to Louisiana already which is horrifying.
It was gratifying to see hundreds of protesters, young and old, and families too. It did devolve a bit into a pro-palestine thing which was mildly irritating because I'd rather they stayed focused on first amendment issues and DHS excesses. But apparently they went back to chanting more general 'people united will never be defeated' type chants (after I'd left). All to say, I feel a tiny bit more hopeful tonight.
Thanks for protesting the kidnapping of a student from the school!
Congrats on being elevated to the position of Academic Dean.
Good for you. But after years of reading, I would expect nothing less. I have a daughter with dual citizenship, here and France, but she lives and works there. I too will not leave. Too old, too stubborn, too mean. I want to be here for went these unspeakable people get theres.
I live in France; it might be headed the same way in a couple of years. I mean, countries that only 30 years ago or so were under Soviet rules, are electing pro-Russian puppets, or barely avoding so.
That's the world we live in, not just the US
but yes, US are lost, there's no coming back from this
I understand your decision, but I am very supportive of those who have chosen to leave (especially Timothy Snyder, given how outspoken he has been about the US descent into authoritarianism).
I support you Dan. I respect your decision, but also Tim Snyder's, whom might be more of a target than most these days (he certainly is for Russia). That said, please stay safe and observant. This shit's about to get a lot worse.
And congrats on the Deanship.
Thanks for staying. I am a Canadian and do think about returning, but I have made my home here in the US with my wife and my friends. There is so much in this country that is worth saving.
American academics and civil society ought to be calling their peers in the Global South to learn a thing or two about opposing authoritarian regimes.
Columbia showed less spine than many universities in places like Pakistan, where speaking truth to power can get you taken “on a tour of the north” as folks there often like to say.
Look at Columbia's endowment and real estate portfolio. They have a lot to lose.
As a Tufts alum - undergraduate and Member of the of the co equal Article 1 branch of the government for 36 years thanks for speaking out on this and congratulations on the position of Academic Dean. Peter DeFazio US Rep 4th District Oregon(ret) but still fighting to save our Representative Democracy in these dark times.
As Timothy Snyder wrote, if they can disappear illegal immigrants without due process, they can disappear citizens because how can they prove their citizenship without due process?
On a related note, NYU just cancelled a speech that Joannie Liu, former international president of Doctors without Borders, was going to give there (https://www.ledevoir.com/opinion/idees/860185/presentation-ete-annulee-universite-new-york).
If you stay, stay for the fight.
Oh thank goodness channel 5 and the globe are accurately reporting this! Come on people of Boston get into the streets to protest this! This is kidnapping.
I'm staying, on the assumption that being a white dude will improve my odds, and also because there is no guarantee that the rest of the world will resist the call of fascism. Trump has done permanent damage to U.S. global power and influence, but the United States still has a chance to remain a democracy.
Depressingly, Trump has lost almost no support since the election, despite failing to deliver on any of his economic promises. Implication is that a near-majority of US voters support fascism, and will continue to do so. For a dictator already in power, 49 per cent support is more than enough.
Professor Drezner: does it seem that most Trump decisions (tariffs, attitude toward Allies, weakening America with government chaos) always seem to benefit Russia more than the U.S.? Can you look at his decisions with a benefit-Russia lens?
Maybe Timothy Snyder knows more than most what’s coming…
Wish I could leave the US so my daughter has a better future.
Please do leave. And then when the ones staying behind have fought successfully to save our nation, we shall graciously consider whether to let you return.
F off. You know nothing about me or my situation. You’ll be deciding nothing for anyone.
I respect your decision Dan and I am not sure what I would do in your position. What I do know is that I and my wife used to love visiting the US but we have put a hold on any trips for the time being, possibly for a good number of years.