Dubious honors

Submitted by Hamlet's Shadow (United States), Aug 26, 2003 at 09:41

I believe the central issue isn't whether Daniel Pipes is qualified to serve on this or that presidential think tank, but the implications of doing so. The sole role of an intellectual is to voice his or her reasoned opinions, no matter how popular or otherwise they are. Accepting that nomination has compromised Daniel's most important asset, his independence.

I suggest that the dubious honor of adding an official title to one's name doesn't make up for the loss or even perceived loss of independence. The practical implication is that now we are forced to daily read about this brain numbing saga rather than focus on the far more important aspects pertaining to the Middle East conflict and to Islam.

There is a sound reason that the separation of powers doctrine doesn't extend to the intellect - it is taken for granted that this sole claim to fame of the homo sapience is automatically devalued by getting near to any source of power. Regrettably, American intellectuals fail to grasp this elementary notion, which explains why there are so few of them and why they are rated so low by the general population.

Yours sincerely,

"Hamlet's Shadow"
www.israelcool.com

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