This morning I heard Ellen Frank say
MIT keeps on people like Chomsky for the same reason Harvard
maintains a trade union program -- to keep an eye on them.
As Michael Corleone said, "keep your friends close,
and your enemies closer."
Well, it's not like I think Harvard, as a general class manifestation,
can be trusted much further than we could throw it, and I don't even
balk at the association with Godfatherly philosophy, nevertheless
Ellen's comment was enough to sour the long talk I just listened to
on NPR: Tony Mazzochi on the roots and prospects of his proto-Labor Party,
a talk (the man is providentially incapable of speeches) given before
trade unionists of many lands at uhh... the Harvard Trade Union Program.
I think Mazzochi is a great guy, and if I were a line worker with
a family and a mortgage I'd follow him into the jaws of hell,
but what's all this doing in the Yard? Just when and why did Harvard
start wearing a hard hat?
Well, here's how the HTUP describes its purpose in the world.
Fairly mellow language that makes me wonder whether those program
attendees leave with as many incisors as they brought in.
HARVARD TRADE UNION PROGRAM
The Harvard Trade Union Program is an intensive 10-week executive
training program designed for trade union leaders. It is comparable to
the advanced education that the University offers to executive-level
individuals in business and government. It teaches the essential
skills for the management and leadership of unions, as well as
providing a unique opportunity to explore key issues for the labor
movement.
I like Elaine Bernard well enough, but something here fails to make
basic sense. The cops don't run burglary seminars, nor do the
churches have free thought retreats or ski lodges hold workshops
on chastity.
Anybody here wanna buy a bridge?
valis
