Thank Goodness for Academia

Submitted by Carl Masonberg (United States), Dec 28, 2002 at 12:57

...Why do you suppose that a majority of college professors are for peaceful approaches to fighting terrorism, and war only as a last provoked resort? Because they represent the most highly educated in our society. They have the intellect and vision to see beyond the political rhetoric that has brought the U.S. to the brink of unprovoked war. They have the ability and courage to see all sides of a situation, and take a stand that is contrary to that of the current administration, when they feel that it is in the best interest of our country, humanity and world peace....

Why do you see preemptive war as the only appropriate action in the fight against terror? Why do you see these views of college professors as being radicalized and repressive to university students? Indeed, radicalized approaches could more accurately be described as using military might as a first resort. Why do you think that much of the World, particularly the third world countries, view the U.S. as being imperialistic and aggressive and flaunting our military might? Can the whole world be crazy and we are the only ones that are righteous?

What do you mean by a repressive university atmosphere? Repression, to me, is when journalists... encourage eliminating voices who speak out courageously against majority opinion, who dare to evaluate other options than those of the current administration. Repression is when journalists... encourage the silencing of, and removal of, University administrations that have opposing opinions to the government.

The voicing of unpopular opinion (and in the case of preemptive war against Iraq, I am not sure that the general public does not agree with a more conservative approach) is, in fact, democracy and freedom of speech at its finest. ...suggesting that this right be squelched, by "taking back" our Universities from the University administrators and professors that dare to exercize this freedom of speech that our country is founded on. What do you mean by "taking back", if not the squelching of their opinions, or their removal from the positions and offices that they hold?

Maybe the University environment is not "politically balanced" because these professors and administators that you chastise, represent a majority, clear and educated opinion. They, in fact, dare to disagree, and represent good "political balance" to the current administration, and that is what this country is, or should be, about.

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