@rbfrank.bsky.social
On curbing academic freedom in the name of academic freedom:
We Had to Destroy the Universities to Save Them
"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’” – Ronald Reagan Skim most any document
www.statecollege.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:32 AM
On curbing academic freedom in the name of academic freedom:
A scene from "war ravaged Portland," July 2025:
September 27, 2025 at 8:37 PM
A scene from "war ravaged Portland," July 2025:
Real power isn't staged in DC — it rises up everywhere else. Join me on No Kings Day to stand together against cruelty, corruption, and authoritarianism. app.sosha.ai/s/TIirmUuD
Join me on June 14
app.sosha.ai
June 11, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Real power isn't staged in DC — it rises up everywhere else. Join me on No Kings Day to stand together against cruelty, corruption, and authoritarianism. app.sosha.ai/s/TIirmUuD
Column: Musings of a Geezer
Frank: Forget Bucket Lists. Aging Is for Savoring
As I entered the murky zone between middle and old age, I came up with a slogan: “If not now, when?” Meaning, I should go-be-do while I’m still hale and
www.statecollege.com
June 11, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Column: Musings of a Geezer
Follow-up column on student deportations:
Candy Is Dandy, but Keeping Your Student Visa Is Sweeter
In my campus mailbox last week I found a sandwich bag filled with “fun size” packs of Skittles and Laffy Taffy. They weren’t for me, as an unsigned
www.statecollege.com
April 30, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Follow-up column on student deportations:
Column: First they came for the students...
The ICE Man Cometh to Penn State
Jack is an international student at Penn State. I’m not going to tell you his real name, where he’s from or what he’s studying because I don’t want to
www.statecollege.com
April 16, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Column: First they came for the students...
My Jeff Goldberg imitation:
Coach Franklin’s Staff Accidentally Texted Me Their Game Plans
Penn State football coaches included me in a group chat about its next game against Ohio State. I didn’t think it could be real. Then the bombs started getting caught for touchdowns.
www.statecollege.com
April 1, 2025 at 6:43 PM
My Jeff Goldberg imitation:
Geezer Power!:
Announcing the Million Alte Kaker March
The term anticipatory obedience is popping up a lot these days to describe educators, politicians and bazillionaires who are crawling on their bellies
www.statecollege.com
March 19, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Geezer Power!:
Column: We're all conspiracy theorists now.
‘Paranoia Strikes Deep in the Heartland’
Among the many Valentines I received on Feb. 14 was one that appeared to be from Penn State Human Resources informing me that I needed “to complete a new
www.statecollege.com
March 5, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Column: We're all conspiracy theorists now.
Spineless Creatures:
Beetles
Snails
Slugs
Earthworms
Leeches
Jellyfish
Flatworms
Tapeworms
Ticks
Sponges
Members of the U.S. Congress
TechBros
Beetles
Snails
Slugs
Earthworms
Leeches
Jellyfish
Flatworms
Tapeworms
Ticks
Sponges
Members of the U.S. Congress
TechBros
March 4, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Spineless Creatures:
Beetles
Snails
Slugs
Earthworms
Leeches
Jellyfish
Flatworms
Tapeworms
Ticks
Sponges
Members of the U.S. Congress
TechBros
Beetles
Snails
Slugs
Earthworms
Leeches
Jellyfish
Flatworms
Tapeworms
Ticks
Sponges
Members of the U.S. Congress
TechBros
Column: Better scrub those NSF/NIH proposals:
D-E-I is D-E-D
Dear National Science Foundation, I am in the midst of preparing an NSF grant application and, as I am sure you can appreciate, I want to make sure
www.statecollege.com
February 19, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Column: Better scrub those NSF/NIH proposals:
Subu Vedam, imprisoned for 42 years, gets a hearing this week:
Will Subu Vedam Prevail?
It all comes down to the size of a bullet and a bullet hole, measured in fractions of an inch. Subramanyam Vedam, imprisoned 42 years on a murder rap,
www.statecollege.com
February 5, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Subu Vedam, imprisoned for 42 years, gets a hearing this week:
My latest column:
Trump 2.0: Smile Though Your Heart Is Breaking
Some of my friends don’t like it when I say Donald Trump is ridiculous. A pie in the face is ridiculous, they say. Trump is dangerous. I agree
www.statecollege.com
January 22, 2025 at 10:34 PM
My latest column: