by Lucas J. Mather, TRP Professor: Who wants a quiz today? We’ll vote. Students: [tired, grumpity, worried, waiting to vote no]. Professor: Ok, here we go: so whoever wants to vote “yes” on taking a quiz today, sit-there-and-look-bored. [3 second pause, professor glances around the room quickly]. Professor: wow, unanimous. Amazing. So rare for a… Read more »
New Sheriff in town, and he’s Republican, By Lucas J. Mather I’ve never gotten a zero before on anything , he who still didn’t have the textbook said belligerently–blamingly–after I showed him his first quiz. Who else got a zero? he asked and several said they got Fs . It’s the professor’s fault, he said.… Read more »
Without Separation of Powers, the Declaration is a Nice Poem, By Dr. Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. The Founders created a Constitution, against all odds, in the summer without Air Conditioning, with windows closed, a document and its defense worthy of celebration equal to or greater than the Declaration of Independence. Yes, I said it. September… Read more »
Getting to the Heart of the Matter with Slavery, By Lucas J. Mather Professor, RU pro-gun ? I’m not sure what “pro-gun” means. Oh. Um. …hmm. Cuz you sound Republican. Well, let me ask you something . Sure. If black people had been allowed to have guns , would slavery have existed ? [Pause]. No.… Read more »
A Socratic Dialogue By Lucas J. Mather Professor, as a person of color, I … Hode up , the Professor said. Yes? I think I know what you mean by “person.” But we’ll get to that later in the class. What do you mean by “of color,” the Professor asked. It was dead silent in… Read more »
By Lucas J. Mather I was assigned to teach college in a high school in Lost Angeles. An employee, “Jenny”, walked me to where I needed to go on the prison-like campus with huge paintings of Barack Obama and Democrat propaganda plastered on the walls and doors. Here’s how I described the brief , honest… Read more »
It’s What I Do, by Lucas J. Mather Rich old lady, Orange County Peet’s Coffee, voice shaking, finger wobbling: “All these interesting books. What do you do ?” Me? I’m a drug dealer. Lady: hahaha– Me: [straight face]. Lady: Srsly? [Concerned motherly look]. Me: I’ve been slinging “thought-crack” for 10 years. Lady: [looking at the… Read more »
By Lucas J. Mather You make everything about politics, she said. It’s like, is there nothing left to talk about. Well, the Republican professor said. I suppose we could talk about the weather. That’s been the go-to non-political topic for centuries. It sure is hot today. Why do you think it’s so hot? Climate change,… Read more »
By Lucas J. Mather A scene in LA: Liberals, Democrats & Socialists eating at Mao’s Kitchen, a trendy restaurant in Venice Beach , California (which went for Hillary in 2016) talking about how scary Trump and North Korea are. Under a big picture honoring Mao Zi Dong, whose troops created North Korea in the 50s… Read more »
From the Archives, by Lucas J. Mather Oh you’re a professor in Los Angeles? [Assumption we are on the same side]. [Blah blah blah] …[Eventually] …Trump’s racist comments about Baltimore … Wait, what was the comment? I don’t have a TV. You know, a bunch of rats live there. The professor shifted in his seat… Read more »