ASTRO has gone full woke

[medgator]

This particular grift stings since my dues and meeting registration monies are paying for some percentage of Kendi's fee.

In any case, the example you cite hasn't been true since the acceleration of the internet in the late 90s, and arguably before. These rich radical marxists are only practicing for the day when they when are commissars in their dacha and everyone else in breadlines (or dead).

My tax dollars are paying for a crony capitalist grifter now, thankfully you can cancel your Astro membership, no such luck with income taxes

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Chartreuse Wombat]

My tax dollars are paying for a crony capitalist grifter now, thankfully you can cancel your Astro membership, no such luck with income taxes

You can always leave the country.

 

[medgator]

You can always leave the country.

There's always secession

 

[KHE88]

You can always leave the country.

Nah, it's easier to whine online about a curiously orange president, unfair corporate tax structures, and the historical injustices of redlining. Especially while you bring home top 1% income practicing non-socialized medicine. America sucks! The rest of the world definitely doesn't want to come here.

Have fun in China.

 

[FrostyHammer]

Nah, it's easier to whine online about a curiously orange president, unfair corporate tax structures, and the historical injustices of redlining. Especially while you bring home top 1% income practicing non-socialized medicine. America sucks! The rest of the world definitely doesn't want to come here.

Have fun in China.

And this is 100% why I have never once joined the SDN "doom and gloom" or complained at being a radiation oncologist. Even despite Trump, living and being a rad onc in the US >>> anywhere else.

 

[KHE88]

And this is 100% why I have never once joined the SDN "doom and gloom" or complained at being a radiation oncologist. Even despite Trump, living and being a rad onc in the US >>> anywhere else.

I bitch a lot about the ABR and the job situation, but I make more money than 99.9% of the world and despite lack of quality Biryanis have a good quality of life. Still, it's a daily struggle to count my blessings. I came from a long line of poor farmers and coal miners. America is the greatest country on the planet. Sad to see all the gaslighing and attempts to burn it to the ground.

 

[Ray D. Ayshun]

And this is 100% why I have never once joined the SDN "doom and gloom" or complained at being a radiation oncologist. Even despite Trump, living and being a rad onc in the US >>> anywhere else.

I'm in the top 1% as of 3 months ago. If you average it out with the other 480, not so much.

 

[Mandelin Rain]

I prefer to whine online about a black guy giving a speech to a trade group.

That’s the real problem right now.

 

[KHE88]

I prefer to whine online about a black guy giving a speech to a trade group.

That’s the real problem right now.

Yes, because this thread has been about discussing the problems with his skin color and not the content of his speeches and books. Really?

 

[thecarbonionangle]

I think ASTRO should double his salary, maybe even triple it. Yes, i said it!

 

[deleted605854]

I think ASTRO should double his salary, maybe even triple it. Yes, i said it!

Wait. What salary? I thought it was a one-off payment.

Sure. Triple it. Money is just an artificial construct anyway. I have to say this to myself these days. It's good for the soul.

 

[Chartreuse Wombat]

Wait. What salary? I thought it was a one-off payment.

Sure. Triple it. Money is just an artificial construct anyway. I have to say this to myself these days. It's good for the soul.

Looks like Dr Kendi is doing just fine as it relates to income.

Billionaires Buy Ibram Kendi’s Woke Promises—Even As He Doesn’t Deliver

In August of 2019, as young journalists agitated for their newsrooms to pivot towards social justice, American University’s Dr. Ibram X. Kendi secured a $50,000 grant from the Ford Foundation to develop a “racial reporting guidebook” to help the media hew to Kendi’s “antiracist” principles.

freebeacon.com

Beware the website can be categorized as right wing.

 

[deleted480308]

As a strong proponent of capitalism, I don't mind either and think people should be paid for their time. The question is why is this man's time so valuable? And what I mind is the hypocrisy of paying someone exorbitant sums to preach lies about capitalism, tell us we are inherently evil and should have our incomes and assets forcefully taken and redistributed regardless of whether we earned it through decades of hard work to earn a valuable skill instead of grifting, and argue for marxism while personally enriching himself.

Surely somebody here can find out what the fee is.
I don't mind him speaking so people can hear this nonsense, but I am confident ASTRO is paying him far more than he is worth.

It’s the emperor’s clothes

 

[OTN]

I prefer to whine online about a black guy giving a speech to a trade group.

That’s the real problem right now.

You've reduced him to his skin color, which none of us have a problem with. We have a problem with his ideology.

 

[Mandelin Rain]

You've reduced him to his skin color, which none of us have a problem with. We have a problem with his ideology.

I totes believe that.

 

[OTN]

I totes believe that.

So the baseline assumption is that we are racist and not to be believed when we say otherwise. Kendi would be proud!

 

[deleted941485]

I think the keynote is doing what it supposed to accomplish. Generate conversation and thought, no matter where you stand (or sit) on these issues.

i remember a few years ago when the keynote was some bull**** basic science talk on preclinical tumor micro environment or nano medicine or some nonactionable esoteric nonsense.

Say what you want about the speaker (or Jagsi, who I’m sure will be glued to him the entire weekend if they’re in the same locale) but we exist in a specialty that’s struggling to stay at the forefront of the conversation. The real solution is innovative research and a radical reimagining of our field (imo, and as expressed elsewhere, this should be via “Linac as OR” as Gfunk so aptly termed it, though he described it succinctly while disagreeing with the notion). Although this talk is essentially a clever, attention grab ruse that does not address the fundamental issues of our speciality, at least it is keeping us engaged as a field in the current cultural conversation, and to that limited extent I think it should be lauded. And we should — to in a guarded and with an appropriately critical eye — be thankful that Jagsi and others produce the vomitous research that they do because at least it shows the outside world that RadOnc exists and can contribute. Even if it’s in this banal, trite, and self serving manner.

Baby steps. We’re all just surviving.

I’m sure the titanic passengers had a rousing discussion of white privilege and the inequalities that existed on the ship as it slowly sunk.

 

[KHE88]

So the baseline assumption is that we are racist and not to be believed when we say otherwise. Kendi would be proud!

I think rad onc in general attracts very intelligent people with decent economic sense who are skeptical of what's fed to them by the media and like to seek out data and make their own conclusions. However, academia is it's own little insane world and while the rad onc department isn't the like the critical race theory department (yes these faculties exist), it's not immune from the psuedoscientific wackiness either.

There's definitely a handful of SJW burn-it-all-to-the-ground socialist rad oncs, but they tend to all post on Twitter. Anonmyous accounts on SDN really aren't helpful for their look-at-me cause. It's kind of bizzare that Trump has gotten so far into the headspace of some PP rad oncs that they are aligning with the academic Twitter crowd.

 

[medgator]

So triggered.. glad to see I'm living rent free in someone's head

 

[KHE88]

So triggered.. glad to see I'm living rent free in someone's head

:troll:

 

[BobbyHeenan]

 

[medgator]

Easy enough to attack the SCOTUS nominee as the anti-woman, anti-RBG candidate from a catholic cult. Kendi is doing everyone a disservice by pulling the race card which is a strawman, when there are plenty of legit arguments against her.

 

[Chartreuse Wombat]

Easy enough to attack the SCOTUS nominee as the anti-woman, anti-RBG candidate from a catholic cult. Kendi is doing everyone a disservice by pulling the race card which is a strawman, when there are plenty of legit arguments against her.

Please provide said arguments. Just as the race card shouldn't be played the religion card shouldn't be played. Dangerous to promote identity or religious test

 

[medgator]

Please provide said arguments. Just as the race card shouldn't be played the religion card shouldn't be played. Dangerous to promote identity or religious test

Why not? She isn't a Catholic in the way Biden or JFK was a Catholic.

This op-ed seemed pretty on point to me

Opinion | Why Amy Coney Barrett’s Religious Beliefs Aren’t Off Limits

Putting a member of a “covenant” community on the high court would raise a whole new set of questions about religion and the Constitution.

www.politico.com

 

[Chartreuse Wombat]

Why not? She isn't a Catholic in the way Biden or JFK was a Catholic.

This op-ed seemed pretty on point to me

Opinion | Why Amy Coney Barrett’s Religious Beliefs Aren’t Off Limits

Putting a member of a “covenant” community on the high court would raise a whole new set of questions about religion and the Constitution.

www.politico.com

So JFK and Biden are "fake" Catholics. Dangerous territory. All Christians and Jews are members of a covenant. These religions are by definition covenential. I don't know enough about Islam to comment. The Democrats only increased support of 45 in the manner that they handled the last two nominees; probably lost the Senate based on the way they handled Kavanaugh hearings. If Biden wants to win the Catholic vote they better tread lightly. Democrats have lost their pragmatism and are handing 45 another term. The middle 30% determines national elections.

 

[Chartreuse Wombat]

Why not? She isn't a Catholic in the way Biden or JFK was a Catholic.

This op-ed seemed pretty on point to me

Opinion | Why Amy Coney Barrett’s Religious Beliefs Aren’t Off Limits

Putting a member of a “covenant” community on the high court would raise a whole new set of questions about religion and the Constitution.

www.politico.com

Amy Barrett: If Democrats attack her over People of Praise membership, they'll regret it

You cannot fight bigotry with bigotry. Indulging it won’t get us a more tolerant America.

www.usatoday.com

 

[medgator]

Dangerous territory. All Christians and Jews are members of a covenant. These religions are by definition covenential. I don't know enough about Islam to comment. The Democrats only increased support of 45 in the manner that they handled the last two nominees; probably lost the Senate based on the way they handled Kavanaugh hearings. If Biden wants to win the Catholic vote they better tread lightly. Democrats have lost their pragmatism and are handing 45 another term. The middle 30% determines national elections.

Battleground state polling and changing demographics would suggest otherwise but ok. 2018 senate cycle was not Dem friendly as much as 2020 will be so it remains to be seen.

Merrick garland a more relevant scenario here regarding RBGs seat than the last 2 scotus noms. Could get crazy next year if Amy Barrett is shoved through with an illegitimate mandate. Not even sure why kendi feels the need to go down that road when there is plenty of fertile ground for the GOP to tread lightly

 

[Chartreuse Wombat]

Battleground state polling and changing demographics would suggest otherwise but ok. 2018 senate cycle was not Dem friendly as much as 2020 will be so it remains to be seen.

Merrick garland a more relevant scenario here regarding RBGs seat than the last 2 scotus noms. Could get crazy next year if Amy Barrett is shoved through with an illegitimate mandate. Not even sure why kendi feels the need to go down that road when there is plenty of fertile ground for the GOP to tread lightly

I agree. Calling someone a colonizer or a cult member is not productive but that is Dr Kendi's narrative

 

[Lamount]

Amy Barrett: If Democrats attack her over People of Praise membership, they'll regret it

You cannot fight bigotry with bigotry. Indulging it won’t get us a more tolerant America.

www.usatoday.com

Would tend to agree that questioning her religion in-and-of itself is not going to be beneficial for Democrats... and frankly doesn’t feel right to me. At the confirmation hearings, Democrats would be wise to stick to her views on overturning the ACA amidst COVID, and try to get her on the record regarding mail-in-ballots and the peaceful transition of power.

Per the 538 forecast the Democrats are slightly favored to take the senate. Replacing one of the most liberal justices with someone who is -shall we say- far right of center amidst an election is pretty extreme... especially given what the McConnell did with Garland. If the Democrats manage to take both the senate and the WH, the GOP has given them little reason not to add a few SCOTUS seats. I hear that “defying norms” is now en Vogue.

 

[RickyScott]

I agree. Calling someone a colonizer or a cult member is not productive but that is Dr Kendi's narrative

Exactly, I highly doubt Barett is racist, but I am sure Kendi believes this. He is a race baiting fascist.

 

[Lamount]

...another topic to probe with Barrett
(other than her religious beliefs) is that time she questioned the legitimacy of the 14th amendment.

 

[medgator]

...another topic to probe with Barrett
(other than her religious beliefs) is that time she questioned the legitimacy of the 14th amendment.

Not shocking in the least... Sad to say

 

[Ray D. Ayshun]

Not shocking in the least... Sad to say

As has been said, elections have consequences. Perhaps her confirmation will be a lesson to all the idealists who think the only person who deserves their vote is the candidate who aims to make all their dreams come true.

 

[deleted480308]

Would tend to agree that questioning her religion in-and-of itself is not going to be beneficial for Democrats... and frankly doesn’t feel right to me. At the confirmation hearings, Democrats would be wise to stick to her views on overturning the ACA amidst COVID, and try to get her on the record regarding mail-in-ballots and the peaceful transition of power.

Per the 538 forecast the Democrats are slightly favored to take the senate. Replacing one of the most liberal justices with someone who is -shall we say- far right of center amidst an election is pretty extreme... especially given what the McConnell did with Garland. If the Democrats manage to take both the senate and the WH, the GOP has given them little reason not to add a few SCOTUS seats. I hear that “defying norms” is now en Vogue.

That’s dishonest, you know a questionable timing appointment of judge is not at all the same thing as just stacking the court with as many judges as you want

 

[Lamount]

That’s dishonest, you know a questionable timing appointment of judge is not at all the same thing as just stacking the court with as many judges as you want

Barrett was just insult to injury

Refusing to consider Garland was the first time that a judicial candidate was denied a vote since 1866. Incidentally, the last time two Supreme Court justices were added was three years later. Seems like a far comparison to me...


Given everything that has happened in the past four years, Democrats may finally be cured of their reticence... especially when confronted with “righteous” indignation from those who justified both the Gorsouch and Barrett nominations.

 

[medgator]

That’s dishonest, you know a questionable timing appointment of judge is not at all the same thing as just stacking the court with as many judges as you want

Why not? Both are unprecedented but legal.

Dems could really go thermonuclear if they want and bring DC and PR in as states.... 4 more senators, in addition to expanding the SCOTUS.

 

[FrostyHammer]

Say goodbye to Obamacare and gay marriage, and get ready to embrace the government controlling 165 million uteruses. God help us all.

 

[Chartreuse Wombat]

Say goodbye to Obamacare and gay marriage, and get ready to embrace the government controlling 165 million uteruses. God help us all.

Hyperbolic?

 

[radOresident]

Is it? Conservatives have shown no issue with infringing on individual liberties when it goes against their religious mandate in the past.

 

[deleted605854]

I am apolitical but I have to ask: what happens to rad onc if ACA is overturned ?

Time to have a sit down with my good friend Johnny Walker....again.

 

[RadOncMegatron]

Ya'll beat me to it. Is this a preview of ASTRO 2020? My fav response:

 

[FrostyHammer]

Hyperbolic?

Not at all. A 6-3 majority on the SCOTUS puts all of those seriously in jeopardy. Not a joke at all. Our country and our civil liberties are in deep deep trouble. We call ourselves a "democracy" and quote Reagan that "government is the problem" - but soon, the government will tell gays how to marry, women what to do with their uteruses (uteri?), and who can/can't have health insurance. Yep...that reflects "democracy" as much as the ABR reflects "integrity".

 

[RadOncMegatron]

Not at all. A 6-3 majority on the SCOTUS puts all of those seriously in jeopardy. Not a joke at all. Our country and our civil liberties are in deep deep trouble. We call ourselves a "democracy" and quote Reagan that "government is the problem" - but soon, the government will tell gays how to marry, women what to do with their uteruses (uteri?), and who can/can't have health insurance. Yep...that reflects "democracy" as much as the ABR reflects "integrity".

@FrostyHammer

You are a very reasonable person and I know it's the internet here, but something that has really stuck me in the gut is what Eric Weinstein (liberal) said in his interview with Senator Cruz (duh conservative) (). We can either be partisan or reach across the isle and save the American project.

I completely understand your views on the intrusion of government in who to marry and control of your body, but surely you recognize the other sides arguments? On the off chance you don't know the rationale behind the conservative argument I can happily supply that for you...

It is a false equivalency to equate democracy and the ABR. Everyone, right and left, hate the ABR. Hating the ABR, residency expansion, problems with clinical trials, let's keep these non-partisan! Abortion, views on marriage, on the other hand well I guess I'll see you in Civil War 2.0 (and I'm not talking about the sequel to the Captain America MCU movie...), unless we can work together and peacefully agree to disagree.

 

[FrostyHammer]

@FrostyHammer

You are a very reasonable person and I know it's the internet here, but something that has really stuck me in the gut is what Eric Weinstein (liberal) said in his interview with Senator Cruz (duh conservative) (). We can either be partisan or reach across the isle and save the American project.

I completely understand your views on the intrusion of government in who to marry and control of your body, but surely you recognize the other sides arguments? On the off chance you don't know the rationale behind the conservative argument I can happily supply that for you...

It is a false equivalency to equate democracy and the ABR. Everyone, right and left, hate the ABR. Hating the ABR, residency expansion, problems with clinical trials, let's keep these non-partisan! Abortion, views on marriage, on the other hand well I guess I'll see you in Civil War 2.0 (and I'm not talking about the sequel to the Captain America MCU movie...), unless we can work together and peacefully agree to disagree.

Of course I do understand your and KHE's views and respect them. If I don't respect your views then I cannot expect you to respect those of mine/medgator/etc. All I'm saying is that half the country is more than welcome to keep their disapproving views on abortion, gay marriage, etc but it's not appropriate to mandate the whole country to follow those views. I hate guns but on a matter of principle am forced to concede that the government shouldn't tell competent people to own/not own guns. And if one looks from a broad perspective, abortion and gay marriage are no different. Just as I (on the left) dislike guns, I believe in the individual rights and sovereignty of each person, and so too should those on the right understand that about other issues like abortion and gay marriage. Democracy means for and by the people, so it by definition has to represent everyone.

(Sorry mods for the political discussion, though it's a respectful one from both sides)

 

[RadOncMegatron]

Of course I do understand your and KHE's views and respect them. If I don't respect your views then I cannot expect you to respect those of mine/medgator/etc. All I'm saying is that half the country is more than welcome to keep their disapproving views on abortion, gay marriage, etc but it's not appropriate to mandate the whole country to follow those views. I hate guns but on a matter of principle am forced to concede that the government shouldn't tell competent people to own/not own guns. And if one looks from a broad perspective, abortion and gay marriage are no different. Just as I (on the left) dislike guns, I believe in the individual rights and sovereignty of each person, and so too should those on the right understand that about other issues like abortion and gay marriage. Democracy means for and by the people, so it by definition has to represent everyone.

(Sorry mods for the political discussion, though it's a respectful one from both sides)

Great post. It seems to validate my belief that most regular people (do we rad oncs on SDN count as regular people?) can respectfully disagree. What the heck is going on in the mainstream and social media that is making everything burst at the seems? The relevant part to us here, is that the whole Kendi thing is brining the national chaos front and center to rad onc. We have so many other issues to clean up, it seems odd that this would be the time to bring Prof. Kendi w/o an opposing point of view. I guess I was just hoping some part of my life would be spared partisan politics, but alas it seems there is no escape.

 

[medgator]

Great post. It seems to validate my belief that most regular people (do we rad oncs on SDN count as regular people?) can respectfully disagree. What the heck is going on in the mainstream and social media that is making everything burst at the seems? The relevant part to us here, is that the whole Kendi thing is brining the national chaos front and center to rad onc. We have so many other issues to clean up, it seems odd that this would be the time to bring Prof. Kendi w/o an opposing point of view. I guess I was just hoping some part of my life would be spared partisan politics, but alas it seems there is no escape.

Not at all considering current events that have been going on across multiple cities. We certainly have bigger issues to deal with in our own house, but i think kendi was chosen specifically because of the current political and racial climate. Many companies are taking a stand on BLM one way or the other, the overwhelming majority seem to acknowledge and support the idea (not the organization), even Amazon had it emblazoned across its website and Jeff bezos came out publicly against a customer who was offended.

 

[RadOncMegatron]

Not at all considering current events that have been going on across multiple cities. We certainly have bigger issues to deal with in our own house, but i think kendi was chosen specifically because of the current political and racial climate. Many companies are taking a stand on BLM one way or the other, the overwhelming majority seem to acknowledge and support the idea (not the organization), even Amazon had it emblazoned across its website and Jeff bezos came out publicly against a customer who was offended.

I see your point. It is "the right time" for this talk given the current national discussion. I guess what I was thinking was, if you wanted to be bipartisan, and try to not involve your self in all the national controversies, than he is a poor choice. Although I am all in and in love with Amy Coney Barrett who is also the "it girl" of the moment and would no doubt be an honor for ASTRO to host a Supreme Court nominee (future justice hopefully - ok sorry for that but couldn't help it), I would have to admit that this would be a curious move for an oncology organization to bring in. I love Ben Shapiro and Candace Owens as well, but if they would be brought as the Keynote ASTRO speaker, it would be weird and I would not be surprised that it would be completely controversial and draw out the indignation of my liberal colleagues.

Dr. Fauci on the other hand is a exemplary example of an excellent speaker everybody would want to hear from and is much more non-controversial at (least compared to Prof. Kendi). All MD's want to hear from Fauci and is really a great honor for him to come to ASTRO. This is pretty much the complete opposite case for Kendi.

 

[deleted480308]

Of course I do understand your and KHE's views and respect them. If I don't respect your views then I cannot expect you to respect those of mine/medgator/etc. All I'm saying is that half the country is more than welcome to keep their disapproving views on abortion, gay marriage, etc but it's not appropriate to mandate the whole country to follow those views. I hate guns but on a matter of principle am forced to concede that the government shouldn't tell competent people to own/not own guns. And if one looks from a broad perspective, abortion and gay marriage are no different. Just as I (on the left) dislike guns, I believe in the individual rights and sovereignty of each person, and so too should those on the right understand that about other issues like abortion and gay marriage. Democracy means for and by the people, so it by definition has to represent everyone.

(Sorry mods for the political discussion, though it's a respectful one from both sides)

We are not a democracy, where did you get that idea?

 

[deleted480308]

Why not? Both are unprecedented but legal.

Dems could really go thermonuclear if they want and bring DC and PR in as states.... 4 more senators, in addition to expanding the SCOTUS.

I don’t think garland was handled right either

 

[Ray D. Ayshun]

That’s dishonest, you know a questionable timing appointment of judge is not at all the same thing as just stacking the court with as many judges as you want

The difference, being that the liberal candidate has won the popular presidential vote in 6 of the last 7 elections, is that packing the court might create one more in line with the country's political views as a whole. Otoh, this confirmation and packing the court are very much the same as they're both allowed, and elections have consequences.