Steve Almond, author of those revered contributions to the western canon, the story collections “The Evil B. B. Chow” and “My Life in Heavy Metal”, inadvertantly reveals a way to take academia back from left-wing extremists:
Condoleezza Rice at Boston College? I quit
By Steve Almond | May 12, 2006
An open letter to William P. Leahy, SJ, president of Boston College.
DEAR Father Leahy,
I am writing to resign my post as an adjunct professor of English at Boston College.
I am doing so — after five years at BC, and with tremendous regret — as a direct result of your decision to invite Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to be the commencement speaker at this year’s graduation.
But I am not writing this letter simply because of an objection to the war against Iraq. My concern is more fundamental. Simply put, Rice is a liar.
[...]
In an effort to build the case for war, then-National Security Adviser Rice repeatedly asserted that Iraq was pursuing a nuclear weapon, and specifically seeking uranium in Africa.
[...]
This is the woman to whom you will be bestowing an honorary degree, along with the privilege of addressing the graduating class of 2006.
It is this last notion I find most reprehensible: that Boston College would entrust to Rice the role of moral exemplar.
To be clear: I am not questioning her intellectual gifts or academic accomplishments. Nor her potentially inspiring role as a powerful woman of color.
[...]
Honestly, Father Leahy, what lessons do you expect her to impart to impressionable seniors?
That hard work in the corporate sector might gain them a spot on the board of Chevron? That they, too, might someday have an oil tanker named after them? That it is acceptable to lie to the American people for political gain?
[...]
I cannot, in good conscience, exhort my students to pursue truth and knowledge, then collect a paycheck from an institution that displays such flagrant disregard for both.
Can we repeat this at other academic institutions? Let the honorary degrees and speaking invitations rain down on Secretary of State Rice!
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2 Comments
When I attended BC the faculty went apesh*t when Oliver North came to speak. What I think drove them crazy the most was the fact the students didn’t give a crap.
I heard this idiot on NPR driving to work a couple of days ago. BC’s academic environment will be the better for his departure.
Its important to note that he’s an “Adjunct Professor” who taught only one course.
I’ll have to send BC a donation this year.
Interesting article on the bruhaha-
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2006/05/condis_boston_college_coup.html