The John Adams Society

Christopher T. Wolff

Chairman

Jason D. Hoffman

Secretary

G. Larry Colson Jr.

Chief Whip

Marina Wolff

Chancellor

MARCH 2017

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.”

—Unattributed

 I AM OFFENDED! To members of the “snowflake” alliance offending someone is the height of sin. Though there is no card issuing authority to join the alliance, most members can be seen agitating for some progressive cause in the name of “social justice”. The defining characteristic of a snowflake however is an emotional reaction to criticism of ideas that borders on unhinged. Many even going so far as rank character assassination against those with whom they disagree. For example, even a narrowly tailored argument against an open borders policy will be called racist, xenophobic, and all other manner of personal insults will be hurled. Although it is never fun to have one’s motives impugned, we must call out bad policy for what it is; bad ideas will flourish if left unchallenged in the shadows.

It is not just simply bad individual ideas that must be repudiated, but the anti-rationalism of the snowflakes themselves lest it infect all of society. We already have serious problems in our society accepting common values. When facts become “alternative” and pointed criticism of ideas is met not with reason but outbursts of emotion, how can we expect civility? Appeals to emotion must be rebuffed in the strongest possible terms when they are made in clear contradiction to reality.

ON THE OTHER HAND, can a hodgepodge coalition of the perpetually offended truly become a dangerous movement on its own? Is it not more likely that they simply go on tilting at the windmill of the day until at some point the various factions point their lances at each other? Fires have a way of going out on their own so long as we don’t add fuel to them. A standing policy of disengagement where we go on living our lives and simply ignore the caterwauling of naves is a way to keep from legitimizing vacuous grievances. At some point, the intellectual adults will return to the room and positive gains can be made.

THE CHAIRMAN, fearful of an avalanche, has called a debate to settle to topic:“Conventions are serious things and ought not to be repeated.”

RESOLVED: Snowflakes: They won’t melt if we don’t shine a light on them.

The Debate will be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o’clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. There is no dress code, however gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies are encourage to adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen arriving sans tie yet wishing to discourse on the resolution, the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand several remarkable selections. Questions regarding debate caucus procedures of about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (651) 494-9008 or the Secretary at (651) 245-6991.