I’m a little confused.
“There is no organization that’s done more to fight for freedom of speech on American campuses over the past 20 years than FIRE” This sounds like they are in favor of freedom of speech.
But then this sentence “If you care deeply about the First Amendment and a robust culture of free speech, FIRE is the kind of or…
“There is no organization that’s done more to fight for freedom of speech on American campuses over the past 20 years than FIRE” This sounds like they are in favor of freedom of speech.
But then this sentence “If you care deeply about the First Amendment and a robust culture of free speech, FIRE is the kind of organization you hope will go out of business.”
Everything. They will go out of business when they are no longer needed. But it was a dumb thing to say because it confused you. Being clear, concise and direct is out of style.
I think maybe what she means is that you hope it goes out of business because civilization as a whole cannot imagine a society not believing in freedom of speech ... hence no reason for FIRE to exist?
This took me a few reads to get, the sentence flow is awkward. But I think I agree with your reasoning here.
Hoping FIRE would go out of business is to mean that it would be good if it wasn't needed in the first place. In other words, in a perfect world where everyone intrinsically valued free speech, we shouldn't even need FIRE.
No. You are being logical, but that’s not what the author meant. But your mistake is understandable. Checking one’s work is no longer a job requirement. If I sound like a grumpy old man, it’s because I love English composition and hate seeing it being destroyed.
Yeah...Bari must have written this one in a hurry. She also says
"And the organization has announced a goal of $75 million in order to pick up the flag the ACLU has put down by becoming the premier civil liberties organization in America."
One way this reads is that, by "...put[ting] down the flag", ACLU has "...becom[e] the premier civil liberties organization in America," which I'm pretty sure isn't what she meant to say.
Indefinite antecedent, like "dripping with gravy, she served the roast."
I’m a little confused.
“There is no organization that’s done more to fight for freedom of speech on American campuses over the past 20 years than FIRE” This sounds like they are in favor of freedom of speech.
But then this sentence “If you care deeply about the First Amendment and a robust culture of free speech, FIRE is the kind of organization you hope will go out of business.”
??
what am I missing? 🤔
Everything. They will go out of business when they are no longer needed. But it was a dumb thing to say because it confused you. Being clear, concise and direct is out of style.
if the culture of free speech were robust, you wouldn't need FIRE.
I think maybe what she means is that you hope it goes out of business because civilization as a whole cannot imagine a society not believing in freedom of speech ... hence no reason for FIRE to exist?
This took me a few reads to get, the sentence flow is awkward. But I think I agree with your reasoning here.
Hoping FIRE would go out of business is to mean that it would be good if it wasn't needed in the first place. In other words, in a perfect world where everyone intrinsically valued free speech, we shouldn't even need FIRE.
Missing the word "not" as in "hope will not go out of business."
No. You are being logical, but that’s not what the author meant. But your mistake is understandable. Checking one’s work is no longer a job requirement. If I sound like a grumpy old man, it’s because I love English composition and hate seeing it being destroyed.
Yeah...Bari must have written this one in a hurry. She also says
"And the organization has announced a goal of $75 million in order to pick up the flag the ACLU has put down by becoming the premier civil liberties organization in America."
One way this reads is that, by "...put[ting] down the flag", ACLU has "...becom[e] the premier civil liberties organization in America," which I'm pretty sure isn't what she meant to say.
Indefinite antecedent, like "dripping with gravy, she served the roast."
Excellent point. Better there is no need for FIRE.