It is no solution to define words as violence or prejudice as oppression, and then by cracking down on words or thoughts pretend that we are doing something about violence and oppression. No doubt it is easier to pass a speech code or hate-crimes law and proclaim the streets safer than actually to make the streets safer, but the one must never be confused with the other... Indeed, equating "verbal violence" with physical violence is a treacherous, mischievous business.
Jonathan RauchIn a liberal scientific society, to claim that you are above error is the height of irresponsibility.
Jonathan RauchParties and political systems used to be about excluding renegades who would never play well with others in government. Now it's actually systematically screening them in.
Jonathan RauchWe started tearing down the seniority system on Capitol Hill. All of that begins in the '70s. It accelerates and continues in the '90s, and it's going on to this day.
Jonathan Rauch