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May 5, 2006
Not in D.C. Anymore
For some students at the New School, in Manhattan, their institution and conservative politicians go together as well as Swiss cheese and peanut butter.
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Bob Kerrey, the institution’s president and a former Democratic governor and senator from Nebraska, announced this spring that U.S. Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Republican and past and possibly future presidential candidate, would be the commencement speaker at the New School. Kerrey said the senator’s acceptance “is a big honor for our graduates and their families.”
But hundreds of students, staff and faculty members at the institution of about 9,000 students have signed paper and online petitions that seek to revoke the invitation.
Several students and faculty members pointed out that McCain has supported banning gay marriage in Arizona, and that, three days before his visit to the New School, McCain will be speaking at Liberty University, whose founder and chancellor, Rev. Jerry Falwell, has openly expressed his opposition to homosexuality.
“Up until a few months ago, I was happy he was coming,” said Anthony Szczurek, a New School freshman. “I think the thing that bothers me the most is him speaking at Jerry Falwell’s school.” Szczurek said that he thinks it’s not appropriate to have a speaker that is hostile to the gay community speak on a day of celebration at an institution with a vibrant gay community.
Harper Keenan, a sophomore, has helped organize the dissent. “In all of our classes we’re taught the value of inclusion of all people,” he said, “and we’re taught to question our leaders.”
The University Student Senate wrote a letter to Kerrey saying that the commencement speaker “commands a higher profile than an ordinary lecturer, and may be assumed to have the implicit endorsement of the university community.”
Kerrey said that he considers McCain “one of the most important political leaders in the world today,” and added that he is “unfortunately caught up in the politics of the day,” and that he “accepted our invitation before Liberty’s.”
The student demonstrations have been very respectful, the president said, noting that he fully supports their right to organize.
Kerrey added that “John McCain isn’t anti-homosexual.… He has not supported federal legislation” restricting gay marriage, he said. “We have very good policies that make our campus very welcoming.... I don’t think his presence subtracts from that.”
Some McCain opponents have said that they don’t want the New School’s commencement to be a political stop for a man they are assuming will be running for president.
McCain, who will receive an honorary degree from the New School, pointed out on the Fox News Network that the New School is a “somewhat liberal institution,” and some students and faculty members at the university think that McCain is just using his visit to balance out the Liberty stop and seem more moderate than he is.
“John McCain is a conservative politician who supports South Dakota’s ban on abortion, and he’s avidly pro-Iraq War,” said Gregory Tewksbury, a part time faculty member at the New School. “People feel like [the invitation to McCain] made commencement into a political platform.”
Tewksbury added that this isn’t a free speech issue, and that he had no problem with Paul Wolfowitz, President Bush’s former deputy secretary of defense, having given a speech at the New School in 2003. “There was give and take,” he said, whereas at commencement, “there will be no chance to engage any of his views.”
Students at the New School aren’t the only ones revolting against politically charged graduation speakers. Hundreds of students and faculty members at Boston College have voiced their opposition to having Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. secretary of state, appear at graduation and receive an honorary degree.
Kerrey said he’s confident that McCain’s speech will be both suitable and inspirational. “I have a high degree of confidence that the message John McCain will deliver will be one that is entirely appropriate,” Kerrey said.
Kerrey said that “the hard truth is this: for every university president in America, one of the challenges they’ve got is to try to find somebody of note to speak at commencement. If you’re an Ivy League school, it’s a lot easier than if you’re the New School … at the end of the day, it is an effort I have to make. This year, we succeeded quite well.”
In fact, McCain will also be speaking at an Ivy League institution. He will be at Columbia University for the undergraduate college’s Class Day, the first of two days of graduation ceremonies.
At Columbia, Laura Cordetti, a senior, has organized opposition to McCain. When Cordetti heard McCain would be speaking, she started a Facebook group — “John McCain Does Not Speak For Us” — that quickly started attracting other students. As at the New School, much of the opposition is in light of McCain’s stop at Liberty. Inviting someone “who has directly been hurting gay people in a legislative way to come here on a day which is supposed to be about celebrating what we stand for is insulting.”
Cordetti, who is graduating, likely won’t have champagne for McCain after his talk. She said that she isn’t trying to trample on free speech, but that having McCain for graduation is like inviting someone you don’t like to your party.
Kerrey said that McCain is “clearly within the mainstream of American political thinking today.”
McCain, however, might not quite be in touch with the New School mainstream. Kerrey said that the “only thing that was a bit amusing” about the affair was McCain saying publicly that “nobody is objecting to him speaking at the New School.”
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Comments
Free speech
Tewksbury brings up a good point—the issue cannot be free speech if only one side is allowed to speak. Unless the New School students change commencement procedure by forcing public discussion that day, their primary means of response will be non-attendance at their own graduation. McCain’s denial of opposition at the New School is not a point in his favor, either.
As one New School student is quoted as saying, graduation is “a day which is supposed to be about celebrating what we stand for.” That being the case, it has always surprised me that college presidents don’t usually assign the duty of finding and inviting a commencement speaker to the local student-government association—the elected representatives of the students. Certainly, the presidents could reserve the right to approve any choice made; but having the students assume the burden would make good sense, especially at an institution founded on the non-exclusionary principles of the New School.
Campbell, at 7:45 am EDT on May 5, 2006
does everyone get to speak at graduation
Mr. Scott, I don’t take a position on the events at New School, but I think that your analysis may be a little off.
I hardly think that not inviting (or disinviting) a speaker is an curtails free speech. Mr. McCain is not only intelligent but not lacking for funds, and is free and able to get his message out in any number of ways.
Secondly, as a practical matter, I don’t think that any great ideas were ever conveyed at a graduation speech. Never. Instead, it is simply an opportunity for the school to feel good about attracting the speaker; and the speaker to feel good about being invited.
Finally, whether or not Mr. McCain is a war hero and/or senator makes little difference to the analysis. Everyone is entitled to the same right to express themselves, and nobody is entitled to do so at New School’s graduation.
Larry, at 7:45 am EDT on May 5, 2006
American values
Perhaps “inclusion of all people,” cited by one student as a major component of New School classes, is not an American value these days.
Campbell, at 7:55 am EDT on May 5, 2006
Scott—exercising your first amendment rights is rude?
Mr. Scott said: “These people are rude in addition to their other faults.” So you think it is rude for college faculty and students to peacefully and respectfully protest a speaker they do not like? I suppose you also believe Iraq war protestors are unpatriotic and traitorous to this country?
LK, at 8:15 am EDT on May 5, 2006
“Rude” Is the Right Term
McCain is very moderate, perhaps right in the middle—neither right nor left. The point here, though, is that he was invited to speak by due process. The purpose of commencement speeches is to charge the graduating class to go forth and be successful, strive toward ethical careers, etc., all to the tune of Edward Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance,” and the parents, faculty, and others will admire the graduates in all their finery.
To advocate uninviting a speaker is definitely rude, according to Emily post. This behavior is most uncivil.
Have a happy day!
Cal, at 9:10 am EDT on May 5, 2006
McCain at New School
I think it is unfortunate when administrators pick (or accept) commencement speakers whose positions on important public issues are obnoxious to a large portion of the graduating class. Commencement is their day to celebrate. It’s not a free speech issue at all, since the commencement speaker platform is not one voice in a debate. When accompanied by an honorary degree, as in this case, it is a stamp of endorsement from the institution.
We had a similar situation develop at our institution back in 1991. Our dean had sent an invitation to President Bush to speak. the invitation went out sometime in 1990, and was pending for so long that out of frustration at not having an answer, the dean invited Mayor Dinkins. Then, somewhat out of the blue, when the dust had settled from the first Gulf War, a call came from the White House that the president was unavailable but his chief of staff, John Sununu, could come. Without consulting faculty (but I believe after consulting some board members) the dean accepted after getting an OK from the mayor for both of them to speak.
Some students and faculty were very upset at the choice of Sununu, a controversial man then embroiled in ethical issues who subsequently resigned under fire. A few of us decided not to sit on the stage with him in protest. (Our school is small enough that the entire faculty sits on the stage for commencement.) At the ceremony, protesters from ACT-UP-NY broke into the hall and tossed fake blood at the stage. It was quite exciting, and everybody breathed a sigh of relief when Sununu made his unmemorable remarks and left. Then Mayor Dinkins took the stage inspired furious applause from the audience. Well, at least it was a memorable commencement, but Sununu didn’t belong on the stage.
A final point about McCain. He’s not middle-of-the-road by any means. His voting record in the Senate puts him solidly among the conservative Republicans. He’s a maverick on a handful of issues, but far to the right of Rudy Giuliani or George Pataki, to take two prominent Republican examples.
Art Leonard, Professor at NY Law School, at 10:05 am EDT on May 5, 2006
McCain Can Handle the Heat
The most moving eulogy I have ever witnessed was delivered by John McCain, as he stood in the well of a suburban DC synagogue at the funeral of David Ifshin, a committed liberal, Democratic campaign operative and someone who, as a student activist, stood beside Jane Fonda when she visited Hanoi, not far from where Mr. McCain spent six years in a prison cell. Messrs. McCain and Ifshin had met after the Vietnam War, at a symposium that brought together people from all sides of the debate. They agreed to disagree about the war’s efficacy, but learned to respect each other’s views and, above all, to be civil and friendly to each other and to those around them. The New School students are free, of course, to protest Mr. McCain’s appearance, but when he approaches the podium I hope that they listen to what he has to say. His words will likely contain more wisdom than they expect, and more inspiration than their cynicism deserves.
Jim Boyle, at 10:05 am EDT on May 5, 2006
I agree with other commentors that it is rude and inappropriate (and anti-free-speech) to uninvite a speaker. However, that does not mean this incident is without its problems. Rather, it points to the fact that while commencement is a time for an institution to show off the prestige it can muster in getting a big-name speaker, it is also a time for people who have worked hard for four years in a particular campus community to celebrate their acheivements and say good-bye to a place that has often been fundamental in shaping their adult charecter. There should be some attention on the part of the university administration to choose commencement speakers that are in keeping with the general community of students who enroll their, speakers who will make the last day of students’ lives at their institution a meaningful part of their undergraduate experience.
Many small colleges do this by giving students varying degrees of formal influence in the process, from suggesting potential speakers to voting on a slate of candidates. I see no reason why universities could not open up the process to undergraduate involvement as well.
ML, New York City, at 10:35 am EDT on May 5, 2006
Ethics
Cal, I agree with you on all points, although I have heard a few good commencement speakers who had something substantive to say. In this case, though, the students seem to think that McCain is antipathetic to the goals and purposes of the school from which they will be graduating. Surely, the ideas—that is, the details of the speaker’s background, not just the integrity of the speaker—matter, even at commencement? On the other hand, perhaps the students have not learned something the New School is attempting to teach?
Campbell, at 10:40 am EDT on May 5, 2006
McCain
To Jim Boyle: Your description of Mr. McCain fits others I have read and heard. I hope they are truly representative of him. Perhaps that is why he was invited to speak—at both Liberty and the New School.
Campbell, at 10:50 am EDT on May 5, 2006
So, we’ve got two stories about invitations to conservative speakers causing university students to have the vapors.
Now how about we “balance” that with a story about some college inviting a liberal to be the commencement speaker and how it caused a similar reaction from students? There must be one somewhere, right?
Brian, at 12:10 pm EDT on May 5, 2006
McCain
New School faculty are as up in arms as the students. And remember the first people to protest against Condi Rice at the Boston College commencement were divinity school professors.
The fact is, to some people the New School still means something, stemming from its founding by John Dewey and Charles Beard, through the university in exile it created for Jewish and other intellectuals forced out of Germany in the 1930s, up until today.
Not only were the students not consulted, the faculty were not either, which is a process used at other universities. The bigger problem is university governance. The New School has an untrained president who has no relevant administrative experience and is used to being kow-towed to as a former US Senator.
New School alum, at 12:40 pm EDT on May 5, 2006
As a New School student, I find this development deeply disturbing, and were I still in NY I’d be right beside the students protesting this. As others have noted, this is not a free speech issue — if it were, I’d expect those condemning the protesting students and professors to support *their* rights as well as the beleaguered, victimized, marginalized McCain’s. The protests are about a near-total disconnect between McCain’s (and by extension Kerrey’s) ideals and those of the vast majority of the school’s.
To wit: “Kerrey said that McCain is ‘clearly within the mainstream of American political thinking today.’” Thing is, the New SChool is *not* within the mainstream of American political thinking today. It *prides itself* on being well outside the mainstream. It is one of the only schools in the country where Marxists teach in the economics department — which I don’t see hard-rightist McCain really engaging. It is a school founded by and continuing to attract war resisters, who again I do not see McCain engaging in a meaningful way. What lesson does McCain have to offer the New School’s graduates? What lesson does he have to offer students who have already chosen a different path than the one McCain walks and rejected McCain’s “mainstream” politics? This isn’t to say that students shouldn’t be exposed to ideas that challenge their own — but graduates at the New School have spent their whole academic careers being exposed to ideas that challenge their own. Why not send them forth into the world with the support and wisdom of a thinker whose words might provide something more meaningful than yet another exercise to deconstruct and critique the banalities of “mainstream” political thought?
DUstin, at 1:15 pm EDT on May 5, 2006
Graduation speakers
My goodness, what a tempest in a teapot! Does anyone really imagine that anybody present at the New School will remember what John McCain will say at the graduation ceremonies? How did we Americans ever get stuck with so foolish a tradition, anyway? We deserve the long hours we put in, listening in the heat, sometimes the rain, to drivel. By the way, John McCain is one of the few human beings who just might be a memorable graduation speaker (if you’ve never done one, you have no idea what a difficult genre it is). And remember, you folks on the Left, it was he who convinced Pres. Bush to disavow torture as an instrument of American foreign policy. My own institution, Princeton, is not free of cant, naturally; it _is_ an institution; it is in the field of education; it is administered by people who need to keep their eye on financial needs (probably three strikes against it right there). But Princeton does one thing brilliantly: it does not have a commencement speaker (pause for effect). That’s right, it DOES NOT HAVE A COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER (pause for thunderous applause, joyous shouts, thrown money, etc.) We trust our president to offer some remarks at the end of the ceremony to the graduating class, their families, and those faculty who choose to attend, sitting there in their kimonos waiting to be done. If the president should happen to go on a bit (as one once chose to), the students are not above applauding lengthily and ironically, just to let the Pres. know it’s _their_ day. That all sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Princeton also has a tradition of inviting a speaker to entertain the graduands the day before Commencement, at Class Day. This person is generally of a background in the comic arts. A few years ago, Jerry Seinfeld was there. Last year (I think it was) Jon Stewart entertained. This year it is to be Bill Clinton.
Robert Hollander, Professor Emeritus at Princeton University, at 1:15 pm EDT on May 5, 2006
McCain anti-gay ?
McCain’s opposition to gay marriage does not mean that he is anti-gay.Perhaps a required course in Logic would be a useful addition to the curriculum at the New School.
Ray O’Donohue, University of Virginia, at 4:00 pm EDT on May 5, 2006
stop being so closed minded and allow free speech for a change
william douglas, at 5:30 am EDT on May 6, 2006
Fascists
The school should be ashamed of itself for turning out a bunch of Fascists. These students talk about inclusivity, but then practice the equivalent of “book burning.” I can bet you that many of these students are not for polygamy. Not very inclusive now are they? Hypocrites.
David, at 5:30 am EDT on May 6, 2006
No sense of history
I hesitate to ever comment in forums such as this but I must express my profound hope that Larry is not a representative of higher education or that he has simply never heard of Washington University, Winston Churchill or the Iron Curtain.
Jeff Johnson, at 5:30 am EDT on May 6, 2006
McCain Speech
Isn’t interesting that “free speech” to liberals means NOT allowing someone with a view which is in dissent of theirs to speak? Read some of the liberal comments here, “Sununu didn’t belong on the stage", “Dinkins (a liberal by the way) received thunderous applause", and any other such comments. Dissent is in the eye of the beholder. Liberals DO NOT own the market on dissent. What liberals can’t seem to grasp is that conservatives are dissenters to the liberal viewpoint. I just find it so amusing that liberals use terms like “diversity of ideas", “free speech", etc, in the same explanation of why someone should not be allowed to practice such. It goes along with liberal arrogance of either believe as we believe or something is wrong with you and you should have no rights.
Jim G, at 5:30 am EDT on May 6, 2006
Student Harper Keenan notes that in “our classes we’re taught the value of inclusion of all people. . .” except of course conservatives, republicans, war heros, christians, people with old fashioned family values.
Well, you get the idea.
Naish, Ms., at 5:35 am EDT on May 6, 2006
immaturity, ignorance and intolerance
It is fascinating to read the comments of freshman or seniors who don’t know diddly about life. Trained in the inanities of social ’sciences” they wouldn’t know a damn thing about the real world. The pro- fessorial construct they abide by is fit only for the pseudo-world of universities.Good luck in life you little fools. Is it any wonder your ilk cannot find productive employment ; you know nothing except to complain!
Dr. George Succhko, Univ. of Texas -HSC, at 5:35 am EDT on May 6, 2006
Why the Outrage and Anger?
I fail to understand the outrage and excess emotion that the students and faculty of the New School feel about having John McCain as their guest speaker. For a school that prides itself on teaching tolerance and being open to new ideas, this negative response to someone that is different than those at the New School is puzzling. I would think it refreshing to have exposure to someone with different views than I. But it’s not about tolerance, is it? It’s about anger and negative emotion—and relying on incorrect information. (If you disagree with someone’s position, it’s best to do your homework and know what their position really is before you start spouting off.) If this were Sen. Ted Kennedy, would the response be the same? I think not. The sad part is that these students and faculty who are so bent on driving Sen. McCain away are the true losers of this situation. I have had the good fortune to work with Sen. McCain and I can honestly say that, despite differing political convictions, I have found this man to be one of the most honorable people this country has produced. He is a man of his word—what you see is what you get. He embodies grace and courage, a true gentleman in every sense of the word. I wish we had more leaders like him. He will not make this speech about politics. He will discuss his favorite topic: character. What it means to be a good person, the importance of looking beyond oneself and service. But the outraged students and faculty will be too angry to listen to what he has to say. It’s a shame because they could learn something from Sen. McCain.
EB, at 5:35 am EDT on May 6, 2006
commencement speaker hysterics
These carry-ons about commencement speakers constitute yet another proof of what a humorless and self-important culture we have become in the hands of the nannies and the virtucrats, who see no inconsistency in silencing speech if it does not represent what they deem to be appropriate viewpoints (“free” speech can only be tolerated once it has passed the diversity test). Their little ears hurt dreadfully if they are obliged to listen to a point of view that has not been carefully vetted and purged for content. Luckily for them this hardly ever happens any more.
All this is useful I suppose as a kind of living history—it offers a little window into what it must have been like to live in New Salem Village during the witch frenzy, when the Very Best People—the equivalent of our contemporary professoriate and their ardent followers—whipped everyone into a frenzy of fear and suspicion and destroyed a good many lives in the process. Poor Dr. Kerrey, trying to deal with these latter-day witch hunters…it’s a lost cause, I’m afraid, and to propose the requisite deep breath and cooling-off will do no good. Tolerance, humor, humility—these are no longer included amongst the public virtues. What a horrid world these new puritans are making for the rest of us.D. Weiss
Deborah Weiss, Ms., at 5:35 am EDT on May 6, 2006
Life in the Bubble
If New School had invited the Rev. Jerry Falwellto speak, I could understand the student’s concern. Falwell is an icon for all religious, conservative thought. But McCain is just a soft spoken, mealy mouthed, presidential wanna-be. There is nothing to fear from him as he is more than willing to adopt whatever position his audience requires.
The real mystery is why did Liberty University lower its standards for commencement?
If the students at New School will listen to McCain, I am sure that they will find him to be sympathetic to all their well intentioned ideals.
Rick F., at 5:35 am EDT on May 6, 2006
New School
“In all of our classes we’re taught the value of inclusion of all people,” he said, “and we’re taught to question our leaders.”
I wonder how they teach inclusion in Math and Science? Perhaps this is part of the problem?
Mike, at 5:40 am EDT on May 6, 2006
Art, I would bet a fair amount of money that even at your small school there were a number of people who disagreed with Mayor Dinkins as well. Should he have been banned also? Free speech is about more than not throwing someone in jail. It is also not trying to silence everyone with whom you may disagree by throwing fake blood on them ... though I’m sure that was quite exciting and good fun for some people. Free speech is about the marketplace of ideas. Good ideas gain ground and win out over bad ones. The First Amendment says nothing about protecting people from being offended but can be seen as a vehicle to ensure people, especially students, are exposed to a wide variety of ideas: some better than others. Let’s hope this school has taught them how to fairly evaluate the merits of an argument and weed out the chaff.
p.s. I had Hillary at my college graduation and didn’t protest her ideas that I thought were dangerous and spiteful.
Andrew Bryant, at 5:40 am EDT on May 6, 2006
New School Students Protest McCain?
Excuse me, but is the “New School” an institution of “higher learning?” If students at that university have NOT been taught the value of the 1st Amendment, perhaps the New School should withhold its diplomas until they do!
While I teach the discipline now, and worked for BOTH party leaderships in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House, (and IN Nebraska), I Chaired a week-long series of speakers at my university’s 14 colleges, while I was an undergraduate. We did NOT support everything that was said by all, but we UPHELD the 1st Amendment as good, thinking, Citizens of our nation should!
If the New School’s students are unable to discern the importance of the 1st Amendment, they will soon learn that they have a lot in common with those fascist nations against whom this nation has taken up arms over the years. The 1st Amendment must NOT be allowed to be the first casualty of ignorance on or off the university campus.
The students’ protest against McCain appears to be McCarthyism in reverse which is just as despicable in a university setting where all ideas are supposed to be open to debate and thought; and wherein all students SHOULD be exposed to thought-provoking ideas.
That students’ thinking processes do NOT value such freedoms speaks more about them than John McCain.
Bob Kerry, one of this nation’s great public officials, has a lot of work to do at the New School
Respectfully,G. Glen Comuntzis
Glen Comuntzis, Professor of Government, at 5:40 am EDT on May 6, 2006
Tolerance
I respectfully submit to New School students, that one of the things you must learn to deal with in life, is that you don’t always get your way. Sometimes the elected President of the U.S., or your local Congressman is not who you voted for. But you must live with it, or leave the country... your choice. A big part of maturing as a person and developing character, is that you must tolerate situations not to your liking. Your “rights” are not being violated here.
And I’m concerned about the comments saying “IT’S NOT ABOUT FREE SPEECH!". Sure it is. Free speech is a foundation of our society, much more important and time-proven than young people’s not-yet-fully-mature emotions. Not meant as a put-down at all, you can’t help your age. But there is a huge difference between wisdom and knowledge.... judgement and raw data. You haven’t had the opportunity to deal with many of the things that us old fogies have. You are a much different person at 40 than you are at 20. Same as that you are wiser at 20 than you were at 10...yes?
I don’t like McCain’s politics personally, but he is a respectable man. I truly mean this respectfully.... kids/young adults: learn to practice the tolerance that you demand for yourselves, and learn how to deal with things when you don’t like them....you will likely have a lifetime full of it.
Close your mind to his thoughts, and you are 100% as intolerant as what you accuse other of being. How you deal with adversity reveals much about your character and your future. Whining and complaining is not how you advance your causes or convince others that you are right.
SW
Steve, at 5:40 am EDT on May 6, 2006
MCCAIN
I find it once again sad that those who are so “open minded” and who remind us to be “inclusive” want to ensure that students hear only what is on the approved menu. Since when did it become wrong to have a strong view on something and to speak about it?
Newsflash for you students....to sit and politiely listen to someone with whom you totally disagree is not “caving in", but rather “growing up.” Your elitism is showing a bit when you try to tell the entire school who should and should not be heard.
Eric Smith, INCLUSION, at 5:40 am EDT on May 6, 2006
New School Speaker
Speakers are for one purpose, to inspire and to challange and to accept into the working larger world a new set of graduates. Nothing more. To give words of encouragement. You may not agree with the mans views or his politics, he in his own way has a most impressive life, something new graduates can inspire to. There is nothing wrong with serving your country, going into politices, serving in the Senate. Things some from this class already think of doing. Drop all the controversy. The students, and even more the faculty should let this day be what it is, a day to enjoy, pass on, start a new life with inspriing words. We need need to stop putting and left and right on everything that happens in this country.
E. M., at 5:45 am EDT on May 6, 2006
New School, Liberty U: more alike than you think
I’m afraid that would interfere with the Marxist economics being taught there, Ray. Boasting about Marxists in the economics department is roughly akin to touting the creationists in a university’s biology division. Perhaps Liberty and New School have more in common than they think. They apparently share a dogmatic and blinkered view of the world, at the very least.
I took a trip around the New School website and the list of student organizations. Gay rights group, check. Feminist club, check. Students Against the War, check. Students for a Democratic Society, check. No sign of the College Republicans, however. No indication of any conservative speaker who ever came to campus.
Which leads me to ask: If the New School is truly so diverse and listens to all points of view, can they name a single Republican (other than McCain) who was invited to speak at the campus this year? Anybody?
Andy, University of Chicago, at 5:45 am EDT on May 6, 2006
Inclusion
I just love it when people preach inclusion while seeking to exclude.
Kenneth Jackson, at 5:45 am EDT on May 6, 2006
response to william
Free speech..can I Adress the graduation on the benefits of animal sex? You say, we al should be allowed to speak, so what say you?
dan, at 5:45 am EDT on May 6, 2006
Left Wing Superstitions Threatened By Dissenting Views
George Orwell had it right in 1984 when he identified Big Brother’s politics as IngSoc (English Socialism). Like Big Brother, Left wing politics never survives the presence of dissenting opinions, which is why politically correct pidgeons squawk loudly at Republican speakers.
News flash lefties: many of us taxpaying Americans are repulsed by your Abortion absolutist fetishim. We’re also grossed out by your unquestioning embrace of the cult of homosexuality. And we’re not fooled by your selective morality that excuses a White House Democrat who bombs medicine factories in the Sudan, starves 5000 Iraqui children a month for 8 years while the UN and Democrat donor$ stuff their pockets with Saddam’s black market cash. Sweet dreams.
Ramon Arias, at 5:45 am EDT on May 6, 2006
Diversity
Ah yes, this school of higher learning is teaching and fully understands Diversity. That is , diversity that only agrees to their way of thinking. Surely the must see their hypocracy!!! On second thought I doubt it!!
Lynn Hunt, at 6:45 am EDT on May 6, 2006
re: Free Speech
I’m responding to Campbell’s ridiculous statement that an “issue cannot be free speech if only one side is allowed to speak.” Both he and Mr. Tewksbury’s assertion that free speech requires a counter point is totally incorrect. What they are referring to is a known in common circles as a debate. So Campbell, before one speaks their mind they need to go find someone with the opposite point of view before they are protected by the 1st amendment? Should Cindy Sheehan have gone and found someone who disagreed with her before she began her protest? Since she didn’t is her speech not protected by the 1st amendment? It scares me how uneducated these kids are….either that or that’s what one of their disingenuous professors taught them.
Free speech in a nutshell is about being to express views idea without fear of retaliation from the government. Here’s the text of the 1st amendment…you should know it before you espouse about it.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
PM, at 6:45 am EDT on May 6, 2006
elites?
Why are people using the term “elitism” like it is a bad thing? New School, for all its good points, is hardly elite. Secondly, being “elite” is good thing. For many families and employers, not being “elite” is a bad thing. I know I sure wouldn’t want to lose my status as an elite. Even though it was almost a foregone conclusion (because of my family’s social status) I like to think that I worked hard to be an elite. Likewise, most departments and school either 1) are elite; 2) wish they were elite; or 3) refuse to hire professors that don’t have some indicia of being elite. Elites built this country, and will run it long after we are all gone.
I still don’t get why you people think that this is a free speech issue. New School can invite or disinvite anyone they want. It isn’t a government entity. At worst, a spurned speaker might have a breach of contract claim. He could, at best, only get damages for his troubles.
Finally, as one speaker points out, the First Amendment doesn’t guarantee that people listen to, or even stage, opposing viewpoints. Indeed, most viewpoints are expressed without counterbalancing viewpoints.
Larry, at 9:00 am EDT on May 6, 2006
Give me a break folks. Graduation is for the graduates and they should have had a say in who speaks. It is their day after several years of taking classes and reaching for the brass ring. If they do not want John for their speaker let it be so. Lets stopo being “politicaly correct” get off your soap boxes about free speach etc. Outsiders should not have a say in who is to speak, let the students voices be heard.
RH Griego, at 9:00 am EDT on May 6, 2006
What I do not understand what about the other students rights. The article states a few hundred students and teachers and family memebers out of 9,000 students. What if the other 8,000 want him then what.Also the petition is signed by teachers and family members should it not be just the students.
jt, at 9:00 am EDT on May 6, 2006
McCain
After working with debate for a number of years I found my students better understood both sides when they understood the reasoning involved by those having opposing viewpoints. Senator McCain, I am sure, will be speaking about issues that are appropriate for commencement not political issues. From the comments, the students are also anti-war but I don’t hear them complaining about McCain’s service. As for free speech, the other side of the gay issue is being exercised through petition and vocal opposition. I would be interested to know if the students at New School have enough class to be courteous during the commencement
Mike Manuel, at 9:05 am EDT on May 6, 2006
POLARIZATION
At first I was receptive to the idea that students should be the ones to choose their commencement speakers, but then I considered how this would lead to further polarization of thought at our universities and, from there, our society. The New School attracts students with a liberal ideology, who comprise a majority there. Assuming the majority always selects a speaker who reflects their ideology, conservative students will never be allowed to express what “they stand for". Over time, this will cause conservative enrollment to fall and create at the New School an even more rarefied atmosphere of liberalism. Not a good way to prepare them for a world where they have to live, work, and play alongside people whose views might be completely opposed to theirs. The same kind of argument holds for places like Liberty University, whose student body would undoubtedly always choose conservative speakers. Perhaps a moderate university leadership is better able to select speakers from diverse backgrounds and ideologies than is its “tyrannical majority” of students.
Steve, at 9:05 am EDT on May 6, 2006
John McCain and the New School
I am surprised and disappointed that some of our nation’s best and brightest, speaking from the platform of prestigious educational institutions, would allow their very personal concerns for the trivial matter of sexual orientation to trump much larger and much more important national and global issues of politics, war, and national strategy.
Senator McCain is a man of accomplishment and integrity. These students should be honored that he has chosen to appear before them. Instead, they seek to silence a great American voice.
In closing, this incident indicates why leftist politics in the United States is bankrupt. When the dazzling complexities of the world are viewed through a monochromatic and narrow lens of sexual orientation, the nation is the poorer for it. And those who choose to sit in silence and to stare through that lens do not deserve the term “educated.”
With regards,
John Maksim
John Maksim, N/A, at 10:00 am EDT on May 6, 2006
I used to have a positive impression of John McCain as someone who represented a reasoned approach to political and social issues. But a close look at his record, as has been done recently by the New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, indicates that Mr. McCain is an opportunist at best. His unequivocal support of the Irag war, opposition to abortion, and gay rights, and his cozying up with characters like Jerry Fallwell put him in the category of politicians who are out of line with the forces of change. Mr. MacCain’s actions belie his maverick image. Students at the New School have every right to ask the school administration to disinvite Mr. McCain from delivering the commencement address.
S. Chaudhuri, at 11:30 am EDT on May 6, 2006
I have not read all the comments, so perhaps my reaction to Larry saying “I don’t think that any great ideas were ever conveyed at a graduation speech” has already been registered. Apparently, Larry doesn’t think the Marshall Plan was a great idea.
Gil, at 11:35 am EDT on May 6, 2006
bankrupt ?
John, Bankrupt is a legal term which applies to individuals who seek protection from creditors (though some bankruptcies can be involuntary, I don’t think you care about this). I don’t see how a term (that non-lawyers use) to describe certain political beliefs can be “bankrupt.” However, as other posters point out, 1) whether he has integrity or not doesn’t matter; 2) he isn’t entitled to speak at New School; 3) New School is under no obligation to make him speak; 4) if he was to speak he probably would not do anything besides say something motivational (since all graduation speeches re free from content.) Indeed, as a general matter few people with certain politics are ever asked to speak because they just are not considered that famous. I mean, when was the last time someone making under $20,000 per year and believed in the Illuminati was asked to speak at any school. Finally, New School is not that prestigious a school (fair or unfair). It is definitely overshadowed by the other schools on 5th Avenue.
Larry, at 11:35 am EDT on May 6, 2006
Thinking and Integrity
A wise philosophy professor once told his students that thinkers with integrity always seek out the best arguments on all sides of an issue and are never afraid of those with differing views. John McCain, himself a thinker with great integrity, will pick a topic and an approach that fits your school, its students and the times.
Doug Super, at 11:35 am EDT on May 6, 2006
Taking a stand?
John McCain is obviously trying to strategically position himself by agreeing to speak at this school. It’s hard not to be a cynic about McCain after he cozies up to the same President who used the 2000 primaries to imply that McCain had a mixed-race baby just to turn of social conservatives. It’s hard not to be a cynic about McCain when he plays kissy face with the same Karl Rove and attack dogs that cost McCain the South Carolina primary using interracial dating as the ‘wedge’ issue.The Left is not alone in sticking to useless issues at the expense of substance. Both Right and Left are known to pander to their extremes for brownie points but do absolutely nothing for the center but suppress voter turnout even more.
John Meeks, at 11:35 am EDT on May 6, 2006
New School-McCain
As an alumnus of the New School, I am greatly disappointed by the largely ignorant complaints aimed against Senator McCain.
He served his country well. I doubt if one percent of those critical of the Senator gave similarly. The rudeness and the false issues that they bring against him only show up the shallowness of their thinking. They will not acknowledge that of all people in the U.S., he is deamed by most Americans as having the best shot of being next President.
Shame on the know-nothings of the New School that have brought disgrace to oiur good name.
Sy Dill, at 11:35 am EDT on May 6, 2006
Substance or Fluff for Graduation...
Mmmm let’s see, a political leader or a Hollywood actor, which one should be our graduation speaker? It may mean so much to you now at your tender age to stand up and protest against having someone of substance speak at your commencement but it will be years later when you’ll realize the squandered opportunity for a naive belief.
You’ll learn as you grow older and wiser from life’s experiences to be tolerant of others and to hear opposing views knowing you have the inner strength to withstand any challenges to your hard earned beliefs.
I was once a college student with high ideals and visions which I thought everyone should believe in. Now as an adult, I realize not everyone will have my morals, my goals or my drive and that’s fine with me now. Life has a way of educating you the way no college or university can.
John Hadley, at 11:35 am EDT on May 6, 2006
Commencement is about the students
As a member of the class of 2006 at BC, where Dr. Rice will be speaking, I can honestly say that this whole controversy is kind of crazy. I have been to MANY commencement exercises (the function of coming from a large family), and with the exception of Meryl Streep, who is NOT an inherently political figure, I have never heard anything political come in a commencement address. While a certain amount of personal ideology goes into the speeches, they are about life lessons. Though I am extremely liberal in my own political views, I believe that both Dr. Rice and Sen. McCain have a number of life life lessons that can be useful and important to graduates. Perhaps I can even learn something about WHY Dr. Rice has adopted her ideology to better understand the conservative view point, which will undoubtedly help me understand my own political activism better.
All in all, the major point is that commencement is about the students. I, along with my classmates, have worked for 4, 5, somtimes 9 years for this day when we receive our degrees. No matter who is on stage delivering an address and receiving a perfunctory honorary degree, the focus should be on the accomplishments of the class of 2006, not the politics. I feel that all the shouting from BOTH sides is doing nothing but detracting from the intent of the day: to honor the graduates of the university. I am looking forward to Dr. Rice’s address as one part of a long day of celebration of my class’s accomplishments, and I sincerely hope that no antics like the blood throwing that happened with Sununu will marr what should be a day about the graduates.
Suzy, at 11:35 am EDT on May 6, 2006
Graduation
Graduation is a time where speakers come, not to promote their political views, but to inspire graduates to get on their way. If student bodies and faculty always chose speakers, would there ever be a conservative speaker at a commencement besides at maybe Liberty or George Mason? There are SO few conservative institutions anymore.
My school brough Howard Dean two years ago to speak on “non-partisan” issues. Mind you, this was the March of 2004. Needless to see, partisan issues came up. Later, they tried to remedy the situation by bringing Ben Stein, a conservative to speak on non-partisan issues. The only time politics came up was when a student asked how he could justify working with Republicans as a member of the Jewish community.
Now my school is bringing President George H.W. Bush and President Bill Clinton to speak at my commemcement. I’m excited to see both. I am a conservative, but I am grateful when I have the opportunity to see politicians speak on the hope of a future, NOT on political issues. That’s what commemcment is about. The New School kids need to be grateful they get to see someone like McCain.
Jewelyn, Tulane University, at 2:20 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
What do You Expect?
The graduates of New School have spent their existence in a physical and emotional santuary of Theory. Fearful and petrified of Reality, but feeling secure and safe, surrounded by faculty and an institution that cheerfully accepts their parents money in exchange for the job of reinforcing their illusions. Now, they sense the clock ticking faster and faster towards the moment the dread most, when they are squeezed out of the santuary and into the great unknown, never to be able to return to the place where life was so safe, easy and comfortable. Panic begins to set in as they start to realize that their entire belief system is a drop of oil in the ocean of the real world. Somehow, deep in the back of their repressed thoughts, they know that they will ultimately break down and dissolve into the community of Reality. Marriage, children, a house in the suburbs, an SUV in the driveway...that is the fate that awaits them all. Desparate to hold on to their fantasy for just a little longer, the lash out at anything and everyone...
Senator McCain can give them the shortest and most meaningful of all graduation speeches:
“GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!”
Pete, Major at The Real World, at 2:25 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
McCain as Grad Speaker
Most of these comments relate to “free speech", a right I ferventl ysupport. If McCain were being invited to lecture, no matter what the subject, opposition to his appearance at a university-which is supposed to tolerate a “university” of opinions— these “free speech” comments might be apt.
But as Commencement Speaker, McCain is there for other reasons than a free give and take of views. He’s there because he is a celebrity, likely presidential candidate, and maybe President Kerry—himself a vietnam vet who may feel solidarity with McCain in some respects—was hoping for favorable publicity for the university.
I’m not surprized there is opposition to McCain: denying him this podium to promote himself as a candidate for President is not a “free speech” issue.
Randolph Phillips, at 2:25 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
I would just boycott the commencement.
Anne Sharp, at 2:25 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
THIS IS NOT A FREE SPEECH ISSUE. WE ARE FOOLS TO LET THESE FASCISTS TAKE OVER COMMENCEMENT LIKE IT IS A PLATFORM FOR MCCAINS DEFAMING POLITRICKS. MCCAIN HAS ALL OF THE FREE SPEECH IN THE WORLD. IF HE WAS TO CRAFT A PRESS RELEASE, WITHIN MINUTES IT WOULD BE IN THE HANDS OF EVERY CORPORATE MEDIA OUTLET IN THIS COUNTRY. IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT FREE SPEECH THEN TALK ABOUT HOW KERREY AND THE UNIVERSITY ARENT ALLOWING THE STUDENTS TO SPEAK OR SELECT A SPEAKER THAT REPRESENTS THEM. TO HELL WITH MCCAIN. TO HELL WITH KERREY. NONE HAVE ANY TRUE IDEA OF WHAT FREEDOM OF SPEECH OR DEMOCRACY IS. KERREY SAYS MCCAIN IS ONE OF THE BEST POLITICIANS OF OUR TIME. IF BEING A RACIST BIGOT WHO SUPPORTS GENOCIDAL POLICIES AND ACTIONS MEANS BEING ONE OF THE BEST POLITICIANS OF OUR TIME, THEN I GUESS KERREY IS RIGHT.
LONG LIVE THE PEOPLE’S RESISTANCE ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLENO POWER TO THE ADMINS
JS, at 2:30 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
Come On!!
We had Senator McCain give our commencement speech last year at my graduation and he did a remarkable job. I have since seen a few other commencement ceremonies and its the same idea each time..go out into the world..give back..count your blessings..strive for excellence..etc... The commencement ceremony isnt a political event no matter how you try to spin it. I’ts asinine to think they could find anyone person to speak that would satisfy every student or faculty member. These students just want something to gripe about.
Joe P, MMA Alumni, at 2:30 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
Inclusion vs Exclusion vs Diversity vs Whatever
The staff and students who condemn McCain,etc., should be proud of their cowardice. To hide behind Acedemia to expound the vitures of socialist communism is a conflict of interest. All these sorry slots are looking forward to working in a free Capitalist society to achieve a life style forbidden by their school staffs.Scrambled Egges for Brains is nothing new comming from the Halls of Lower learning.
Harry Fettuccini, at 2:30 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
McCain is very anti-gay
In his last interview with Tim Russert, McCain laid out just how anti-gay he is. There is no question. He stated he is supporting AZ’s anti-gay-marriage bill but he does not support a constitutional amendment. However, he followed that up with the statement that if the state’s anti-gay-marriage law was taken to the Supreme Court and found to be unconstitutional, THEN he would support a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
He’s a homopohobic bigot, just like the rest of them.
Jegusa, at 2:30 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
What a surprising rush of anti-free speech comments. Not the one’s supporting McCain, the one’s telling New School students to shut the f*** up already and learn to live with disappointment. Some of the comments are downright ridiculous — such as the ones that slight NS students for daring to oppose a war hero. May I remind folks that NS President Kerrey, too, is a war hero, of the same war (what’s more, he may well be a war criminal, too!). These are students who are experienced at living with ex-soldiers in their midst — even acting respectfully towards same.
May I also point out that among other colleges, the New School of Social Research is home to one of the leading schools of social science in the country, many of whom will be receiving MAs and PhDs at the graduation? Even at the undergrad level (which is a small part of the NS’s student body) these students are politically, socially, and culturally engaged — it’s the heart of the NS program. NS students know McCain, and they know McCain’s ideas — some of them have written dissertations on them. This is *NOT* about “diversity of thought", about students refusing to be exposed to new ideas — that’s ridiculous! The New School regularly hosts panels and debates including thinkers from across the political spectrum. This is *NOT* about students shrinking from “real world” concerns, either — anyone who witnessed the NS response after 9/11 (much of the NS is below 14th Street in Manhattan), who saw students organizing and delivering lunches, water , and other supplies to Ground Zero, as well as setting up break areas and “survivor centers” for workers, victims, and persons displaced by the attacks cannot accuse these students of being disconnected from reality.
The comments above seem to think commencement addresses should be seen as an educational experience, and in opposing it these NS students are rejecting new ideas. But McCain is not new ideas at the NS — there’s nothing he can say that NS students aren’t already deeply familiar with. The opposition to McCain is not an opposition to the ideas he may express in his address, it’s a political opposition to the hiring of a non-academic, political figure. The concensus here seems to be that the choice is McCain or an actor — what about a great thinker, as befits the New School’s historical tradition? What about a writer or artist or scientist, someone who can actually expand the horizons of these extremely well-educated students — rather than a political hack grubbing for a presidential nomination? What I don’t see here is the outrage that a university of quality would sell itself as a stage for politics-as-usual, the condemnation for a political actor using academia as a pitstop on a building campaign.
No, let’s all pretend it’s a free speech issue...
Dustin, at 2:30 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
inclusive?
I’m always amazed at the unthinking, lock step approach of those on the left.
If this was a somewhat conservative campus that had invited a liberal commencement speaker, and then some of the conservative students had objected, the story would be all about the repressive right, and their being afraid of the truth.
I increasingly wonder how long it will be before those who see thmeselves as progressive iconoclasts notice that their views are always the same as the big government/ big corporate rulers. It must be a very comforting delusion to see yourself as a free thinker, and yet feel that all right thinking people agree with you; so much so that anyone who doesn’t shoud be silenced.
Steven Flanders, at 5:35 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
Free Speech?
I’m chucking to myself as I read the comments by (what appears to be) right wing supporters. This is NOT a freedom of speech issue. I believe the students/academia are basing their opposition on the political beliefs of John McCain (which, by the way, are not mainstream — his voting record is waaayyy to the right). This is their commencement and they should have some sort of say in who should be speaking.
Where was all this concern about freedom of speech when anti-war demonstrators and anyone else who disagreed with the Bush administration were branded as being unpatriotic. What a bunch of hypocrites!!!
Rick, at 5:40 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
John McCain
As a New School student, I’m in agreement with much of what Dustin said in his previous comment. It’s not a matter of free speech—if McCain were invited to be on a panel and express his views, I think most people would welcome him coming to the New School—I really doubt that there would be any protest against such an event. But commencement is an event for the students, not some event for political grandstanding. I used to think of McCain as an ethical person but after he began kissing the ass of a man who viciously trashed his wife and daughter during the 2000 campaign, I lost respect for him. His courting of Fallwell just reinforces this opinion. Supporting the ban on abortion, which includes victims of rape and incest, is reprehensible to me and I am exercising MY free speech by protesting the appearance of someone who holds such a view, ditto for his views on gay marriage. Bob Kerrey was hired to head the New School in part because he was a talented fundraiser. Shortly after joining the New School, articles about Vietnam war crimes surfaced, killings which Kerrey has not denied. His ability to raise funds for NS plummeted and many students and faculty felt he should leave, as much from an ethical as a financial perspective. Yet we at the New School continue to fund him with an expensive residence and salary while he waits for the right political opportunity. As for free speech at NS, during the run-up to the Iraq war, which Kerrey vigorously supported, teachers who opposed invading Iraq were harrassed and threatened. Kerrey has actively fought the efforts of those who wanted to unionize teaching assistants. He should show more respect for the opinions of students and faculty at NS and more awarenesss of its admittedly liberal heritage instead of using the school for the ambitions of himself and his political cronies.Conservatives only seem concerned with free speech when conservative attitudes are being expressed. I don’t hear them protesting the exclusion of liberal viewpoints in much of the main stream media. Who are the diverse speakers being invited to Liberty U’s commencement—how many liberals are speaking there? Where is the protest if they are not?
Patricia, at 5:40 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
Hypocrisy indeed. I don’t mean the protesters at New School—I mean those of you who know perfectly well you would not be here crying about free speech rights if the speaker were Ward Churchill.
Honoring free speech does not mean staying silent in the face of someone abetting those who mean to criminalize your existence. By these distorted standards, you would have these students and professors listen to—and politely applaud?—Saddam Hussein.
Jackie J, at 5:40 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
Dustin wrote:
“The New School regularly hosts panels and debates including thinkers from across the political spectrum.”
I asked earlier on this thread for somebody to name one Republican other than McCain who was invited by the New School to speak this past year and no one has responded. Dustin, perhaps you can name one? Maybe one who appeared on one of these broad-spectrum panels?
Andy, University of Chicago, at 5:40 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
The real free speech issue
Objecting to McCain as a commencement speaker is not a free speech issue. As if a U.S. Senator, frequent guest on Sunday morning news talk and occasionly op-ed columnist, McCain has ample oportunity to air his views. Graduation is an important life milestone. Why force students to spend it in the presence of a strong supporter of the Bush administration? If there’s a free speech issue surrounding this event is the freedom of protesters to object before, during, and after the event. McCain, stand with Fallwell and Bush. You’re entitled to that. But mar the commencement of students who object to your presence? I’m with the students. Stay away from the New School. As For Kerry’s need to score a name speaker? Bogus. If you attend the New School, you are doing it for the quality of the education and faculty, not for the assurance of an A-list commencement speaker.
Mickeleh, Columbia College (alum), at 5:45 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
SIMPLE
All this chatter is fine, but the fact is the University makes the decision — you (students and professors) are the customers and employees — not the management. Take the “education” and taxpayer subsidized paychecks you signed up for or take your business elsewhere if you are dissatisfied — just like the rest of us.
Matt, at 5:45 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
New School/McCain
Students at the New School should consider Fidel Castro for commencement speaker. He would keep them on the edge of their seats for 3 or 4 hours!
Eric Chase, Radio Broadcaster, at 5:45 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
More Critical Thinking Needed in this Thread
It’s sad that a board representing higher education seems to attract so little in the way of solid critical thinking on this issue.
Shocking to see even some “professors?” chime in on “free speech” when this has virtually nothing to do with free speech. Thanks to a couple clearer-headed people who tried to set the record straight. For those trying to make this a “free speech” issue, I submit that either 1) you have a political agenda, or 2) you need to understand what a commencement speech is all about.
Generally, universities try to get a speaker able to raise the status of the university and one whose background finds a threshold of fit within the ethos of the community. If this were Liberty U. we were talking about, what are the chances that Jerry Falwell would invite Hillary Clinton as their commencement speaker? If that improbable event were to occur, a good thought experiment would be to consider the faculty and student body reaction. Liberty is the right-wing analog to left-wing New School, and as unlikely as it is to find a thriving Young Republicans chapter at NSU, it’s just as unlikely to find a thriving Young Democrats at Liberty. A gay pride organization at Liberty has about the same likelihood as a ROTC presence at NSU.
That is as it should be. Each has its place in the American voice. This country has always had its verkrampte voice and its verligte voice, even before Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams had to flee from the hard-ballers of Massachusetts Bay. It’s rare, however, for any institution to hand over its single most prominent public platform to someone who represents the antithesis of the larger polity or community.
The choice of commencement speaker carries this symbolic weight, and in many universities, the student body and faculty are heavily involved due to the historical experience of disconnects between the preferences of an often remote administration and a more in-tune faculty and student body. After all, this is their one day in four years that truly belongs to them.
The Marshall Plan speech and other historically-significant speeches are an aberration and largely belong to days past when there was less polarization than exists in the body politic today. Any university would put at the top of its priority list a personage with the gravitas and intellectual power to make such a speech, but these birds are on the edge of extinction.
At my son’s university commencement, Rod Paige, Bush’s former Education Secretary, gave the commencement speech, and I was hopeful that he would give something personal and worthy of the rise of an African-American to the most powerful administrative education post in the world.
Instead, we got a blatant exposition of neocon education policy with the full push for vouchers and government aid to parochial schools, etc., delivered in a campaign-like script. I wish I could say it was Rovian in its eloquence, but it failed to meet even high-school standards of speech-writing and was an embarrassing example of American education placing political values above educational values.
There was a sense of betrayal among many in the audience that this was neither the time nor the place for Rod Paige’s unvarnished political grandstanding for Bush, that this was a moment to celebrate the achievements of the graduates, give them some personal insight into how they might handle their future, and acknowledge the tremendous sacrifices of their families appropriately.
Free speech is an issue for the classroom and school-sponsored seminars, and anyone who would disparage New School would do well to check the respective records of New School and its inverse-doppelganger Liberty to the degree they entertain and respect alternate points of view on campus. Being familiar with associates from each, I would lay money on New School having the greater courage to engage antithetical viewpoints in civilized academic debate. Anyone who wishes to check the record, feel free to disabuse me of this opinion with facts.
In full disclosure, I am neither a liberal nor a Democrat, nor an active proponent of either New School or Liberty’s political positions.
Brock Hotaling, at 5:45 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
McCain
Oh brother...folks, get real. This is not about “free speech” or suppression thereof, nor is it about righteous opposition to a graduation speech that is somehow expected to devolve into political demogaugery.
This whole molehill (at New School, Liberty, BC, or otherwise)is the result of academics and students who are determined to live in “interesting times,” and are seeking to add some sort of meaning to their otherwise rote, boring lives by protesting the big, evil, homophobic warmonger.
It’s a sad commentary on the insulated bubble that the academic world cocoons itself in when it became an Armageddon-quality issue as to whom among our citizens will give a commencement speech. None of the graduates or professors will remember in four years who the speaker was; however, they won’t hesitate to dislocate their shoulders patting themselves on the back pretending they spoke “truth to power” when they were merely indulging their narcissistic pretentiousness.
Chris, at 8:05 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
I’ve been challenged to name names. Alas, I’ve been away from NY for several years while doing fieldwork and writing my dissertation, so haven’t kept up with recent events, though I’ll note that McCain and Kerrey recently did a panel on the 2008 election at the NS. Digging back to the time I was much more directly involved with the school, at my MA commencement, the speaker was the governor of Puerto Rico, Sila Calderon, certainly no liberal. In the aftermath of 9/11, Michael Walzer — not a conservative but a strong supporter of the wars in both Afghanistan and Iraq, at least at first — was invited to keynote a conference on terrorism and war. The range of interests within the school itself bely any simple categorization of “conservative and liberal” — there’s America First-types teaching alongside radical immigrant lesbians of color, though in our stupid national black-and-white way of thinking they’re probably all just “liberal” (ironically, McCain himself challenges those gross over-simplifications — which doesn’t, however, authorize him to address the New School’s sophisticated student body. Maybe any hint of knowledge about the social sciences would help his case...).
Dustin, at 9:35 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
Reasoned thought
At last! After wading through all of the liberal/conservative nincompoopery, it was refreshing to read something written by someone who can actually THINK! Thanks, Brock. Your comments made it worthwhile for me (and probably a lot of other folks) to sit here and patiently read all of that other drivel. My advice to the rest of you: Read Brock’s comments three times a day for thirty days. Maybe some of you will begin to get the hang of logic and reasoning.
MS, at 9:35 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
from a graduating NSU student...
Of all the posters, can I please ask that we stop making assumptions about the lifestyles or identities of students, faculty and staff who are in opposition to McCain speaking at commencement as well as those who are in favor of him speaking? Can we please not resort to making disrespectful and condescending comments and passive-aggressive digs at the quality of education, the quality of discussion, the intellectual capacity of either side? Clearly it is getting in the way of having a constructive discussion on the topic at hand: the implications of McCain speaking at commencement.
As a graduating senior who is involved in organizing opposition, along with Harper and Greg Tewksbury, I am obviously against McCain speaking at commencement. I will not claim not to have been educated in Marxist thought or not to have spent most of my studies focusing on issues of race, gender, sexuality and the marginalization of “deviants” from traditional, white, patriarchal, heteronormative ideals. For the most part, I’m very comfortable with what I’ve learned thus far of this discourse and I am using it as the basis for much of my argument. I make no claims to having perfect analysis nor absolute knowledge so any arguments, provided that they are respectful, will be most welcome.
I would like to reiterate that this is not an issue of barring opposing ideologies from being presented at the school. McCain spoke earlier at New School and there was no problem. He discussed with Bob Kerrey “the Mathematics of Electoral College Politics” on January 22, 2004. We welcome all ideologies and we acknowledge that we have much to learn from opposing views and about our own but we learn from engaging and discussing points of conflict and if we are to learn much from Sen. McCain, it will not be at commencement.
What is in contention is not what he will say, but the implications of being chosen as the commencement speaker as well as one of the recipients of an honorary degree. I must stress that we acknowledge the nature of event as well as the decision. Commencement is for graduates and should not bear any political weight whatsoever. But let’s not kid ourselves. No one is ever apolitical, especially public figures. No person is ever chosen to speak at commencement without serious consideration of what their presence in this specific context will mean. No one has the luxury (or unfortunate circumstance) of living in a vacuum. We are all political beings simply because of our identities as white males, working class women, as queer senior citizens, as students of color, as immigrants, etc...in addition to the political ideology to which we subscribe. Our presences have meanings in specific contexts just as Sen. McCain’s presence has meaning at the New School. As a public figure, he does not easily escape his ties to his political ideology.
What does the presence of a person who supports the war, is anti-reproductive rights, is anti-gay marriage say in the context of a commencement ceremony of a school founded on progressive ideals and whose community is reflective of the already marginal communities that McCain seeks to further marginalize?
Granted he did pass an anti-torture bill and co-authored the McCain-Kennedy Immigration Reform bill, both of which I have very strong criticisms, but these “maverick” actions should not divert attention from his other actions. His anti-torture bill has been a huge selling point for McCain speaking, but does the anti-torture bill neutralize his stance on reproductive rights?
What does it mean that he is being given an honorary degree and will be part of the graduating class of 2006 of New School University? What does it mean that no one in the community was consulted in this decision? What does it mean in the context of McCain as a 2008 presidential hopeful? What is the broader picture?
Although he does have several decades on many of the graduating class and the recognition and support of a chunk of the US population, I still refuse to have an endorsement his politics made in my name, which I believe his honorary degree and honor of being commencement speaker do. As a member of the New School community, I strongly disapprove of what I believe to be his use of the New School reputation to make him seem more palatable to on the left side of the political spectrum.
irene cifra, class of ‘06 at New School University, at 9:40 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
McCain’s commencement speech at The New School
Why get so upset? I graduated 3 times, and never can remember who said what to whom. I and my buddies, girls and boys, were planning (and plotting, even at the age of 27) to party, and chase each other, and otherwise give ourselves relief from what we had had to learn, in order to get the degree from the school. Life? That comes from the school of hard knocks, unless you are a Kerry or a Kennedy or a Bush, which I am not, and am glad I am/was not. I don’t even vote (in order to study the American Way, without distraction) and do find McCain an honorable man, albeit frightening with his Liberty/Falwell connection, and anti-abortion stance. He wants to win in ‘08, as does Hillary. Let him (and her) do what h/sh/e thinks they have to do to win. Mo’ betta than the ca-ca that runs our army these days. Chill, students. Life goes on, and so will you. Party on, dudes/dudettes, lighten up, or skip the speech. You are done with that school.
tom melton, Commander at my house, at 9:40 pm EDT on May 6, 2006
Condosleaza Lies
So Condosleaza Lies is being given an honorary degree by BC? What in, Propaganda and War Crimes? She certainly is a Master of those.
M. Guyot, at 5:35 am EDT on May 7, 2006
A dreadful metaphor. Swiss cheese and peanut butter sandwiches are delicious!
KevinSeanO, at 5:35 am EDT on May 7, 2006
Another comment from the NSU class of ‘06
The only reason I’m hesitant to support McCain speaking at our graduation later this month is the obvious political implications of his speech. Speaking at Liberty University and then the New School, two schools who are polar opposites in ideology? Only a political neophyte would be able to ignore the way he’s trying to position himself on the political spectrum. What better way to show you’re a candidate for everyone if you speak at a school with a rightist foundation, and then a leftist school later on in the month?
As a side note, I would have loved to see Senator McCain speak after the 2004 election, regardless of his politics.
Gina, Graduating NSU student, at 5:35 am EDT on May 7, 2006
Sen. John McCain
Since when have commencement ceremonies been a public forum for discussions. I thought the purpose of a commencement speech was to provoke and challenge the graduating class to enter the real world and do their best to improve their personal, political, and global environments.
What benefit will anyone receive from a plate full of political pablum?
John Lobenstein, SJSU 76, at 5:35 am EDT on May 7, 2006
John McCain To Speak At Graduation Ceremonies
Until the article about Senator McCain showed up on the Drudge Report I’d never heard of New School. Reading about the debate taking place on campus I experienced a similar reaction to characters in the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid who kept asking: “Who are those guys?”
I did, however, enjoy the verbal jousting.
New School students — presumably reasonably intelligent people — have it wrong as to why McCain should not be allowed to speak at graduation ceremonies. It is not because of his conservative stance on certain issues that trouble liberal students (who oppose free speech?). No, that is insufficient reason to disinvite The Senator. Why not say it like it is: John McCain is boring.
P.S. So is Hillary Clinton.
Tom Hibbard, at 5:35 am EDT on May 7, 2006
John McCain and Free Speech
This debate is not and should not be considered as being about free speech. College commencement is intended as a reward and honorarium for the graduating students; it is not for the President of the school nor for his choice of speaker. It is the students’ day and it should be their prerogative to weigh in on who their commencement speaker will be. They should not be required to listen to some one who is the antithesis of what they believe. If President Kerrey wants to invite McCain to the school under a different venue to give his speech that would be fine and he should be allowed to speak at that time. Why make their graduation day into a political football? Probably no ambitious politician, liberal or conservative, should be allowed to speak at any graduation exercise.
Lynn P, at 5:40 am EDT on May 7, 2006
I thought I KNEW IT ALL when I was back in college, but over time my views have changed. In fact, I regret many of my votes. These kids should keep an open mind. They should listen to different views for a change. They have decided at such a young age to not listen to anybody, but people that they agree with. They are being narrow minded. They talk about tolerance (difference in opinion), but do not practice it themselves.
colin, at 5:40 am EDT on May 7, 2006
McCain is no moderate
Some have described “McCain is very moderate". I once believed that. But he has been a loyal Republican, and in his support of his party he has lurched to the right. I find his unwavering support for the qWagmire in Iraq to be dishonorable. A “moderate” would recognize the folly for what it is and call those who are responsible for it to task. A “moderate” politician might seek a middle course on abortion rights, but McCain is pandering to the Christocrats in order to obtain the 2008 Republican nomination. I once contribute to McCain’s presidential bid- but never again. The man is no moderate, but just another political oportunist.
Wade Steenburgh, at 5:40 am EDT on May 7, 2006
First thing is first, I am not a college graduate, so I can’t say that I have ever had the the opportunity to listen to a graduation speech. What I do have a hard time believe is that McCain is there to depicted his world and soon to be presidential views. This is merely a speech to the send you silver spoon, winnie ass babies, who have nothing better to do with your time the piss and moan, off into a world that you know nothing about. If this is what college has to offer I am glad that I choice not to go.
Andrew, The days to come, at 5:40 am EDT on May 7, 2006
Not In DC Anymore
As a retired senior citizen, I am always amazed at the double standard that selected students, especially from liberal groups, attempt to impose. I do not agree with everything that John McCain has to say, but I respect him as an honored American who states what he believes and has represented his constituents and our country well. I expect that the same students that are looking for issues with McCain would openly welcome a congressman from Rhode Island with a history of drug and alcohol problems, who has shown himself to be above the law, without any questions asked.
Frank Robbins, at 5:40 am EDT on May 7, 2006
Free speech
Why is the left so fearful of ideas that are not lock step in line with it’s own? Just as in breeding animals, incestuous thinking begets defective thought processes. And, just in case their is any possibility of penetrating the ova-like minds that have been closed by first-sperm-like dogma — - your first amendment right to free speech does NOT give you the right to interfere with another’s first amendment right to free speech. That is not a circular artgument. It is just common sense, which unfortunately seems not to have been passed down through the liberal gene pool. And many liberals now also believe it is acceptable to incite violence at an anti-war rallys, or wish for the death of politicians who support the death penalty. No lie! Get into the heart-of-hearts of many quasi-liberals and you will discover nazi-like intolerance and bigotry that should truly alarm true liberals. Bottom line: let McCain speak you incestuous intolerant bigots.
Reason, at 8:25 am EDT on May 7, 2006
Three from Kurt Vonnegut
Having noting original to add to this discussion in my own words, I defer to Kurt Vonnegut:
1. Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before.
2. I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don’t let anybody tell you different.
3. True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school [or in this case, university] class is running the country.
I must add, however, that by far the most edifying remarks came from Brock.
Whig H. Clay, at 8:50 am EDT on May 7, 2006
McCain / NS
Wagon pullers of America, hang on, another crop of “Rugged Individualists” from the New School is on its way. Ha! Do you suppose even one of these self absorbed; latte sipping, Marxist brats will ever contribute a bit of worth to this country?Nice job Kerrey, it’s a little late in the game to be introducing these dilettantes to a man of substance like John McCain.
Pete Orsi, Patriot, at 8:50 am EDT on May 7, 2006
The New School and it’s students are insignificant, in the grand scheme of things, and not worthy of all the fuss over their “protests.”
Ken Wolf, Insignificant, at 9:05 am EDT on May 7, 2006
Not in D.C. Anymore
I think these graduates need to get a life and maybe worry more about say, finding a job rather than getting thier underwear in a twist over who is going to speak at a commencement ceremony that most of them will snooze through.
Mike Wittman, at 9:05 am EDT on May 7, 2006
I haven’t gone through all of the postings, but of the posts that I did read I didn’t see any that commented on the student statements about the word “taught". It seemed as though every other word was “taught". The final statement I read said that they had been “taught” to question their leaders. Does this require a comment? Talk about robotic thinking.Just what America needs, more indoctrinated vegetables parroting the 60’s hippie faculty.
Anthony Passalacqua, at 9:15 am EDT on May 7, 2006
Why so afraid of differing views?
Please explain why Liberals are so afraid of having other views expressed on college campuses? They say they are all for free speech and diversity of views...but they never mean it. Their idea of diversity is moderate liberalsim to off-the-wall liberalism!
Fear of real diversity shows their intellectual insecurity with their positions and arguments.
I am me, at 9:50 am EDT on May 7, 2006
Commencement speaker more like our heroes!
The New School should NOT give a platform to politicians whose views are in direct opposition to everything for which the school stands. Mao Zedong, Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx were Giants fully aligned with our progressive social values. Why can’t the commencement be given by a contemporary political leader more like our heroes?
C. Chavez, alumni at the New School, at 10:20 am EDT on May 7, 2006
Free Speech
I really think it’s ironic that the point of view in this country who screams the loudest when someone they oppose is expressing his or her views are the liberals. Seriously, think about it. They’re always upset when someone says something they do not agree with, and they go after that person voraciously. Instead of doing that, they should be excited that more points of views are being expressed.
I think it’s awesome that John McCain is speaking at New School. I would not agree with the school’s philosophy, I am sure, but I also wouldn’t boycott it because of my thoughts. I think it’s degrading for the students there to be demanding a retraction of the commencement address invitation. Instead, go, sit, and listen to someone else’s point of view, and keep your mouth shut out of respect for a true American hero, much like the president of New School is.
You people amaze me with your hypocricy!
Tracy Gorman, at 10:40 am EDT on May 7, 2006
The most remarkable thing that sticks in my mind about Sen. McCain is the merciless beating he took from the Bush camp in the Presidential primaries. His family was assaulted with no limits. Which speaks of the ruthlessness of Karl Rove. This has been a benchmark of how the Bush team does business. Because their leader has no merits of his own to run on, the common, accepted procedure is to make the opponent look even less attractive (true or not). This type of conduct from the Bush team and how warmly it was embraced by the Republican voters in general should have been a wake up call and a clear signal of what lay in the future for this nation. It conjured up images of a Pit Bull locking his eyes on a Yorkie which had foolishly decided to pee in the same spot as the Pit Bull. After surviving the attack the Yorkie cuttle up to the Pit Bull. One is left to draw their own conclusions. Mine is, if McCain doesn’t respect himself enough to defend himself, how can he expect anyone else to?
If a commencement speech should be about anything, it should focus on truth, hope, and positive thinking for the future. If I were a graduating student at any university I don’t believe I would want McCain pointing me in that direction. The merits of the message often rests in the merits of the messenger?
William Justice, at 12:05 pm EDT on May 7, 2006
Why are these students, who preach inclusion and understanding, blatently badmouthing Liberty College with out even knowning anything about the college?
“Oh it’s Jerry Fallwell’s college, so it must be the house of liberal horrors.”
These students are a model for soon to be over educated, liberal, conformists everywhere.
John J, at 12:05 pm EDT on May 7, 2006
Who Are You Calling a Whiney Baby?
I am a forty-seven year old student at the New School. When I enrolled last fall, I thought the welcome introduction to the undergraduates was condescending and consumer-oriented. So, I wrote to the head of the undergraduate department. He apologized for appearing to condescend and pander. At the introduction, President Kerrey stayed for approximately five minutes. I was concerned that his motive was to sell the university as a “newer” academic structure; one that would commodify and spin the illusion of freedom of speech. This activity might have jived with the malleability of a younger undergraduate’s self-perception. It didn’t work for me, although I am taking classes. How can these comments be tied into Senator McCain’s selection as commencement speaker for ‘06? Well, its all about the money, people. If the school’s administration makes these choices at strategic times, there may be more endowment cash coming from conservatives. Have no fear. We are watching capitalism, not politics, although the two are conjoined by the pale blood of hypocrisy.
Beth, New School BA/ Center for Modern Psychoanalytic Studies, at 12:05 pm EDT on May 7, 2006
When did our friends on the left become the “New McCarthyites,” looking under the bed for “neocons,” or anyone else who doesn’t fit their narrow views of who is and who is not “acceptable?”
I find it rather ironic that students at the New School (and other liberal institutions) routinely object to conservative speakers by using the “intolerant” monkier, when they themselves display a spirit of intolerance by being unwilling to even listen to views they may disagree with.
America is not about a cultural elite, preaching to the rest of us about who is and who is not a “moral person.”
Unless these paranoid, intellectually arrogant people begin to respect the principle of free speech for ALL, then they have abrogated the spirit of intellectual discovery and education.
It is so sad to see our elite institutions of higher learning descend into a cultish tribalism which refuses to even hear views they may find “objectionable.”
Jose Aguilar, at 12:05 pm EDT on May 7, 2006
McCain
It saddens me to see what our higher educational system is in when I read outright contempt of “the left", which is fixed rhetoric to dehumanize another group of people — the bedrock of discrimination. The “Left,” or “Lefties", only exist inside your head and is a threat to your own survival as a “superior being.” Of course you won’t admit to that, but that is your intent. Your logic is only based on separating others and if you need to lie to do that, then it’s no problem. There is a big difference between “We” and “Me” which I find the main difference in political affiliation. The Right are the ones pulling this country apart and if you still engage in dialogue where you knowingly promote falsehoods, you are a willful conspirator in a promoting violence against other tax paying Americans. You need to walk a mile in their shoes (gays and lesbians) before you’re hijacked by primal reactions to destroy. No matter what you think homosexuality is, they deserve every right as heterosexuals because this is a country of equality. If it conflicts with your religion, you are free not to sleep with someone of your own gender.
You should feel the blow of your own hand. Only then will you realize the harm you do to this country.
Now, back to the point at hand: McCain has anti-gay positions. Your only argument is that you want the Left to be tolerant of the Right’s intolerance, but until you start living by the golden rule, you should live in the fear you impose on gays and lesbians. McCain had two camps to choose from and he chose one. Why should the “Left” make him feel comfortable for his discrimination?
Randall C, at 12:45 pm EDT on May 7, 2006
Liberty student against McCain
As a student of Liberty University I am opposed to McCain speaking at our commencement this Saturday. I feel probably the same way the students at this New York school do because to me McCain is playing on both sides of the fence. He is appealing to the liberals as well as the conservatives by speaking at LU as well as the N.Y. school and Columbia. I know he says he is a conservative but his record shows otherwise.
J.J., at 12:45 pm EDT on May 7, 2006
McCain at Liberty
CORRECTION: when I said “his record shows otherwise I did not mean his voting record". I just meant his record with how he talks and his actions towards both parties.
J.J., at 12:50 pm EDT on May 7, 2006
Thank you, Dustin!
You came clean, and admitted that...um...well, maybe there WEREN’T any bona-fide conservatives on any of these ‘panels’ — but gee — we already KNOW what they think right? We all have our Nation subscriptions!
I AM a conservative Republican, and what amuses me most is that John McCain is regarded in GOP circles as irretreviably liberal! Try inviting George Allen or Tom Tancredo if you’d REALLY like to hear some ‘divergent’ points of view!
Which leads me to my final thought — and I DID read all the comments. You children seem PETRIFIED that your hot-house view of the world will be blighted by even hearing an opposing point of view. Which means that you don’t really have any faith in it. Instead, you will slink about in your East/West Coast catacombs, sipping your Starbucks and grousing about how those flyover folk still outnumber you.
Perhaps President Kerrey should consider a student exchange program with Texas instead of Lyons, and let these children learn about a truly foreign culture!
Peter Porcupine, at 1:25 pm EDT on May 7, 2006
What an ironic twist for Senator McCain! The “McCain-Feingold” bill put a limitation om my, and everyone else’s, 1st Amendment “Freedom of Speech". Now, his attempt to speak is being questioned. The circle is coming around to smack him in the mouth....it is much deserved.
abenaki, at 1:35 pm EDT on May 7, 2006
Demogaguery With A Smiley Face- by Brock
>>>>It’s rare, however, for any institution to hand over its single most prominent public platform to someone who represents the antithesis of the larger polity or community.
>>>>If this were Liberty U. we were talking about, what are the chances that Jerry Falwell would invite Hillary Clinton as their commencement speaker?<<<<<
Liberals within the academy and without are famous for never letting facts get in the way of politically-correct dogmas. Sophists like Brock feel the same way. So do snake oil salesmen.
For those fans of Brock, forgive the following intrusion of reality:
These are interesting times. Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, spoke today a Liberty University’s Convocation.
In his speech Yoffie downplayed the significant differences that serious Christians of all stripes—especially those to whom he was speaking—have with his own movement’s views on abortion and legally protected homosexual unions.
Here is part of what he said:
“Your religious tradition prohibits abortion; my religious tradition permits it in some cases and forbids it in others, but believes that every woman must prayerfully make the final decision for herself.
You oppose gay marriage while we believe in legal protection for gay couples. We understand your reading of the Biblical texts, even if we read those texts in a different way.
But gay Americans pose no threat to their friends, neighbors, or co-workers, and when two people make a lifelong commitment to each other, we believe it is wrong to deny them the legal guarantees that protect them and their children and benefit the broader society.”
http://www.temple-emanuel.org/rem...rabbi_yoffie_at_liverty_unniversity/
Ted Kennedy Addresses Liberty University
“I hope for an America where the power of faith will always burn brightly, but where no modern Inquisition of any kind will ever light the fires of fear, coercion or angry division....
People of faith should not invoke the power of the state to decide what everyone can believe or think or read or do. In such cases, like abortion or prayer or prohibition or sexual identity, the proper role of religion is to appeal to the free conscience of each person, not the coercive rule of secular law."— Ted Kennedy, address, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia, October 3, 1983, from Albert J. Menendez and Edd Doerr, The Great Quotations on Religious Freedom
Ramon Arias, at 3:00 pm EDT on May 7, 2006
What amazes me is the absolute level of contempt for academia that characterizes a good 2/3 of these comments. I mean, it doesn’t surprise me to see that people don’t know much aboutthe New School — it’s a small school (though something like 9 colleges scattered around Manhattan) with a name too like NYU’s, and lots of people haven’theard of it or think it’s part of NYU. I suppose I’d expect people who don’t know anything about the school to refrain from expressing that ignorance so loudly (for instance, Eugene Lang, the undergrad school, and the Graduate Faculty — and some of the other schools — include real-world experience as admission criteria; there’s few daddy-coddled airheads at the New School), but that’s just me. But I’d think that, on a website devoted to higher education, there’d be, you know, a little more respect for higher education.
As to the lack of bona-fide conservatives speaking at NS, I’m not sure I know what makes up a “bona-fide” conservative. I do know that supporters of the war in Iraq speak there and are among the faculty, I do know that opponents of the welfare state have spoken there (and are probably among the faculty), I do know that strong assimilationists have spoken there and are among the faculty, and I do know that supporters of American imperialism have spoken there and are (or were) among its faculty (e.g. Christopher Hitchens who essentially encapsulates the whole of the American political spectrum, largely expressed through drunken mood swings from left to right and back in the course of a sentence). If you’re looking for a lot of culture warriors, and that’s your bona-fide conservativism, well then I concede — I don’t see much of a market for that at the New School. After all, it’s a place of learning and thought.
Dustin, at 3:00 pm EDT on May 7, 2006
Dustins’ final sentence in his letter and the “opposition” to Mccain typify the liberal arrogance, intolerance, and general self absorption.
Liberals scream and yell whenever someone speaks out against THEIR views, when someone doesn’t wish to hear them speak.The hypocrisy is thick.
What these students don’t seem to understand—or accept—is that their beliefs are forced upon people everyday through liberal professors, teachers, educational institutions, entertainment industry, etc, advancing a liberal agenda. These are “unwanted”. If the populace at large—who aren’t so inclined to accept the beliefs of left or right—has to suffer through having to listen or read them obnxiouslyprattle on and on about issues no one cares about—than they should be able to listen to McCain( person who is far more tolerant than the leftist extremists cited in the article let on.)
The truth is this is yet another example of liberal hypocrisy and intolerance. If you don’t embrace their doctrines, you are give one of a plethora of lab
Commencement Speaker
Does this school have any understanding of the value of free speech in America. Will only the views of the majority be allowed to be expressed? And, to deny access because of where else a person has given a speech is absolute evidence that this campus has no grip on American values.
John McCain is a decorated war hero, serves as a United States Senator and may run for President of the United States. It is rude and disrespectful of his position to criticize his selection after the invitation was extended.
If they have a problem it is with the President of the School for not consulting them. They should wait until the speech is over to raise the issue and limit critism to how speakers will be selected in the future.
These people are rude in addition to their other faults. I regret they will be permitted to continue to teach or go out into the work force to represent America.
William Sumner Scott, J.D.wss@jefound.org
William Sumner Scott, Executive Director, at 6:45 am EDT on May 5, 2006