Bill Ayers coming to University of Wyoming (school, safety)
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I am no fan of Bill Ayers either politically or educationally, BUT this is what Universities do. They bring in contraversial speakers and allow people to make up their own mind.
Now I wouldn't have brought in Bill Ayers, because even though he was involved in some of the worst parts of the sixties, he is still too much of a fringe character. I have to wonder if his educational reputation is formed so much because of his 60's bombing and trials. Regardless he is a nationally know speaker, and Wyoming is off the beaten path for speakers.
On the U of Wyoming's website the front page has the reasoning for bring Bill Ayers. Purely to bring a contraversial speaker, because that is what Universities do.
It is a small step from 'I don't like Bill Ayers" & " I won't support the University" to I don't like Hillary or Obama, or Cheney, and if the University has either one of them speak I won't support it. We just could end up with no one ever speaking at the U just becaue the University is afraid of losing funding.
Getting a chance to see nationally know contraversial speakers benifits all. Whether it is Anne Coulter or Abie Hoffman.
Now the SDE having him address principals is an interesting approach, and if I can wrangle an invite to one of those I would go, just so I could report back. Still that being said from the political standpoint I have to wonder what McBride was thinking. Usually he is so cautious.
And lastly I am no Jim McBride fan. He has done little good for the SDE, and got elected by the blind party line voters. Hopefully he will be a one and done.
I noticed that blurb on the front page last night. It wasn't posted until March 26th which told me the University has already received plenty of flak.
I hear you Trouthead. But Anne Coulter hasn't broken any laws or been responsible for any bombings. I stand by my personal opinion that Ayers should be in prison, not speaking at Universities.
Ayers was with a group that attacked the PENTAGON. I can't think of a more direct assault on this country than that. He should have been tried for treason.
Let me be clear......it's NOT the man's thoughts or ideas that I think should exclude him from speaking at UW, but his ACTIONS.
Personally, I think that universities SHOULD invite all of the most polarizing people from all sides of all controversies. What generally happens is that the radical left gets to speak and the conservative side is generally shouted out.
I remember when as an undergraduate at a midwestern university, a group of radicals tried to keep William Rehnquist from appearing on campus. Fortunately, their efforts were unsuccessful as the university president brought in the local police department to ensure that there was no interference.
What bothers me about Ayers and the Weather Underground people is how they are never called to task for their illegal activities by these institutes of higher education.
Maybe I have gotten too old. I remember the 60's and the depth of feeling over the Viet Nam War. I would never say that what Bill Ayers and the Weather Underground did was right, but they did make attempts to make sure no one was injured other than those killed constructing a bomb in Greenwhich Village. Are they domestic terrorists? Well yes with a disclaimer that they never hurt people other than themselves. Should he speak at UW well I would say yes cause a discourse of ideas is important. If he had been able to be somehow tried for murder he would have as there is no statue of limitations on murder.
I know I ( a regestered republican and a life member of the NRA) am somehow coming across as some sort of crazed liberal, but I have to support UW having controversial characters speak in an open forum. The benefits outway the loses.
And lastly Bill Ayers would still be in prison had the FBI not broken the law in trying to prosecute him. A tough case to lose but it is a common occurance when dealing with crime fighters who want to go above the law. From a legal stanpoint Bill Ayers is niether quilty nor not quilty. Aprice we pay for freedom from police misconduct. In a perfect world Bill Ayers would be in jail, and I'd be rich
It's not so much that Ayres is going to speak or what he has done. The Freedom of Speach is so important. What I would have a problem with is the educators of our children are going to hear a lecture given by someone like Ayres. People go to lectures to learn something new and innovative. What are these educators hoping to learn from Ayres? What new insights are they hoping to gain and then implement in the school system? Knowing what Ayres is all about, I would be furious if the educators of my children were going to this lecture and I would question them in public at every school board meeting. And I would do it loudly. And then I would scrutinize every text book, every homework assignment, every project, every field trip, etc, that my kids were involved in.
Socialism, liberalism, marxism and facism are not the enemy. Ignorance and apathy are.
"How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don't think."
Adolph Hitler
Last edited by Ct_bow; 03-29-2010 at 09:44 PM..
Reason: wanted to add something
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ct_bow
... Knowing what Ayres is all about, I would be furious if the educators of my children were going to this lecture and I would question them in public at every school board meeting. And I would do it loudly. ...
I too feel this is the bigger concern. Universities are a bit off center anyway, but why give the public 'k-12' educators a special opportunity to hear this quack? Seems if k-12 get their acts together and start producing educated kids that come to college PREPARED, there may be some evidence they are 'progressing' back to an old normal. For the most part k-12 is not doing its job. (no thanks to carefree parents, enormous regs and reports, and administrators that are only promoted b-cuz they were terrible teachers). I'm grateful for the good teachers, they really have their hands tied. After returning for a master's program after 35 yrs in the trenches, I was not impressed with the capabilities of young adults (?) in college. Why we (USA) train folks for careers they know nothing about, and often do not like, seems a bit backwards. (coming from an 'apprentice', circa 1960's - 70's). I did get a few degrees AFTER is was employed and 'had a clue'. I am not impressed with the stats that 75% of our USA trained engineers and scientists leave the field within 5 yrs.
I just read-- My Life with the SDS and theWeathermen-UNDERGROUND- by Mark Rudd
- -Hey I grew up during those days- and Rudd is from NJ( much like myself)- went to Columbia University- so I was interested in his take 40 years later.
Anyway- -Ayers is prominitley mentioned all thru the book. From the unfortunete mistake of the bombs killing 3 students in a NY Village townhouse- to- helping Rudd stay on the run and undected until 77 or so.
Statement on Cancellation of Professor William Ayers's Visit to UW
March 30, 2010 -- The director of the Social Justice Research Center at the University of Wyoming cancelled the scheduled appearance of Professor William Ayers. The director announced his decision to the UW administration late Monday evening and noted there are no plans to host Professor Ayers in the future.
In his communication to the administration, the director apologized to the university community for any harm that may have come to it and cited personal and professional reasons, including safety concerns, for the cancellation.
In response, Tom Buchanan, president of the University of Wyoming, said, "I appreciate the consideration for the university that the re-evaluation demonstrated." Buchanan thanked the director for taking this initiative and for his willingness to respect the interests of the UW community, including statewide constituencies.
"Re-evaluation of this event was unavoidable. One way or the other, this event needed to be revisited, and I respect the director for being willing, on his own, to cancel this invitation. I'm satisfied with the outcome," Buchanan said.
He continued, "Academic freedom is a core principle of any institution of higher education. But with that freedom comes an obligation to exercise free thought and free speech in concert with mutual respect and acknowledgment of broader resource and security impacts on the campus. The exercise of freedom requires a commensurate dose of responsibility.
"Observers in and outside of the university would be incorrect to conclude that UW simply caved in to external pressure. Rather, I commended the director of the center for a willingness to be sensitive to the outpouring of criticism, evaluate the arguments, and reconsider the invitation.
"The University of Wyoming is one of the few institutions remaining in today's environment that garners the confidence of the public. The visit by Professor Ayers would have adversely impacted that reputation.
"During the past few days, controversy over Professor Ayers's visit has been intense. While this episode illustrated an opportunity to hear and critically evaluate a variety of ideas thoughtfully, through open, reasoned, and civil debate, it also demonstrates that we must be mindful of the real consequences our actions and decisions have on others."
Statement on Cancellation of Professor William Ayers's Visit to UW
March 30, 2010 -- The director of the Social Justice Research Center at the University of Wyoming cancelled the scheduled appearance of Professor William Ayers. The director announced his decision to the UW administration late Monday evening and noted there are no plans to host Professor Ayers in the future.
In his communication to the administration, the director apologized to the university community for any harm that may have come to it and cited personal and professional reasons, including safety concerns, for the cancellation.
In response, Tom Buchanan, president of the University of Wyoming, said, "I appreciate the consideration for the university that the re-evaluation demonstrated." Buchanan thanked the director for taking this initiative and for his willingness to respect the interests of the UW community, including statewide constituencies.
"Re-evaluation of this event was unavoidable. One way or the other, this event needed to be revisited, and I respect the director for being willing, on his own, to cancel this invitation. I'm satisfied with the outcome," Buchanan said.
He continued, "Academic freedom is a core principle of any institution of higher education. But with that freedom comes an obligation to exercise free thought and free speech in concert with mutual respect and acknowledgment of broader resource and security impacts on the campus. The exercise of freedom requires a commensurate dose of responsibility.
"Observers in and outside of the university would be incorrect to conclude that UW simply caved in to external pressure. Rather, I commended the director of the center for a willingness to be sensitive to the outpouring of criticism, evaluate the arguments, and reconsider the invitation.
"The University of Wyoming is one of the few institutions remaining in today's environment that garners the confidence of the public. The visit by Professor Ayers would have adversely impacted that reputation.
"During the past few days, controversy over Professor Ayers's visit has been intense. While this episode illustrated an opportunity to hear and critically evaluate a variety of ideas thoughtfully, through open, reasoned, and civil debate, it also demonstrates that we must be mindful of the real consequences our actions and decisions have on others."
HOOAAAH! You couldnt do that in (K)alifornia baby! I think that's great. A tip of the hat for all you Wy'ers that called or wrote in protest.
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