[iwar] [fc:Lynne.Cheney-Joe.Lieberman.group.puts.out.a.blacklist]

From: Fred Cohen (fc@all.net)
Date: 2001-12-15 17:35:37


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Date: Sat, 15 Dec 2001 17:35:37 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [iwar] [fc:Lynne.Cheney-Joe.Lieberman.group.puts.out.a.blacklist]
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San Jose Mercury News, Dec. 13, 2001 Opinion

Lynne Cheney-Joe Lieberman group puts out a blacklist

BY ROBERTO J. GONZALEZ

AN aggressive attack on freedom has been launched upon America's 
college campuses. Its perpetrators seek the elimination of ideas and 
activities that place Sept. 11 in historical context, or critique the 
so-called war on terrorism.

The offensive, spearheaded by the American Council of Trustees and 
Alumni, a Washington-based group, threatens free speech, democratic 
debate and the integrity of higher education. In an incendiary 
report, ``Defending Civilization: How Our Universities Are Failing 
America,'' the American Council claims that ``colleges and university 
faculty have been the weak link in America's response'' to Sept. 11. 
It also asserts that ``when a nation's intellectuals are unwilling to 
defend its civilization, they give comfort to its adversaries.''

The report documents 117 campus incidents as ``evidence'' of 
anti-Americanism. More than 40 professors are named, including the 
president of Wesleyan University, who suggested in an open letter 
that ``disparities and injustices'' in American society and the world 
can lead to hatred and violence.

Other examples abound. A Yale professor is criticized for saying, 
``It is from the desperate, angry and bereaved that these suicide 
pilots came.'' A professor emeritus from the University of Oregon is 
listed for recommending that ``we need to understand the reasons 
behind the terrifying hatred directed against the U.S. and find ways 
to act that will not foment more hatred for generations to come.''

Dozens more comments, taken out of context and culled from secondary 
sources, are presented as examples of an unpatriotic academy.

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni was founded in 1995 by 
Lynne Cheney, the vice president's wife, and Sen. Joseph Lieberman. 
Its Website claims that it contributed $3.4 billion to colleges and 
universities last year, making it ``the largest private source of 
support for higher education.'' Cheney is cited several times in the 
report, and is reportedly a close associate of its authors, Jerry 
Martin and Anne Neal.

Although the council's stated objectives include the protection of 
academic freedom, the report resembles a blacklist. In a chilling use 
of doublespeak, it affirms the right of professors to speak out, yet 
condemns those who have attempted to give context to Sept. 11, 
encourage critical thinking, or share knowledge about other cultures. 
Faculty are accused of being ``short on patriotism'' for attempting 
to give students the analytical tools they need to become informed 
citizens.

Many of those blacklisted are top scholars in their fields, and it 
appears that the report represents a kind of academic terrorism 
designed to strike fear into other academics by making examples of 
respected professors.

The report might also function to extend control over sites of 
democratic debate -- our universities -- where freedom of expression 
is not only permitted but encouraged.

At my campus, symposiums, teach-ins and lectures about religion, 
terrorism, central Asia, the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy have 
been organized recently. A teach-in entitled ``Background for 
Understanding'' drew hundreds of students, faculty and citizens from 
many political and intellectual perspectives. The audience had the 
opportunity to ask questions and comment freely. The discussion was 
lively and at times contentious.

As a microcosm of society, the university is a place where people of 
different ethnicities, religions, generations, and class backgrounds 
exchange ideas and opinions. Anyone who has visited Bay Area colleges 
knows that they are especially rich places for intercultural exchange.

The vigorous and often heated debates typical of such encounters are 
a hallmark of democratic processes. On most campuses this can still 
be done freely, but official accusations of anti-Americanism might 
intimidate and silence some voices.

That is not patriotism, but fascism. The American Council's position 
is inaccurate and irresponsible. Critique, debate, and exchange -- 
not blind consensus or self-censorship -- have characterized America 
since its inception.

Our universities are not failing America. On the contrary, they are 
among the few institutions offering alternatives to canned mainstream 
media reports.

The targeting of scholars who participate in civic debates might 
signal the emergence of a new McCarthyism directed at the academy. 
Before it escalates into a full-blown witch hunt in the name of 
``defending civilization,'' faculty, students and citizens should 
speak out against these acts of academic terrorism.

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