George W. at Harding
Hello, all.
As you know, another year has rolled around at good ole HU, with another set of ASI speakers. This years’ bunch contains three women, an achievement in itself: Laura Ingraham, Nonie Darwish, and Cynthia Cooper. Details about each woman’s successes can be found here, as well as the fourth speaker’s: former president George W. Bush.
If you’re a returning reader on Political Cartel, you’ve probably picked up on some hostility toward this man and the things he did while he was president. Therefore, I won’t spend an eternity condemning his actions, mostly because it would be a waste of time. Despite the distaste I feel for my hard-earned money being used to hire Bush and the alarms in my mind warning me about what message the University is trying to get across by encouraging the student body to attend this particular lecture, I must admit that I’m fairly impressed, and I’ll definitely be in attendance this April 22nd. Will you?
Feel free to comment, discuss, vent, or extol in the comments.
The only surprise is that he came before Palin.
I am amused by the public announcement on their website, particularly the accomplishments that they chose to include.
1. Federal tax cuts
2. Prescription drug benefit to Medicare
3. Implemented Free Trade Agreements
4. Launched a global HIV/AIDS initiative
5. Appointed John Roberts Jr. and Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.
I guess it’s one thing that they left out that amuses/depresses me.
They could have added, “Alienated every moderate muslim in the known world.”
In Bush’s credit, he put in place an unprecedented amount of aid for Africa. He has also been the most respectful Republican in the country since Obama has been put in office.
I’m excited about the three women, too. Oh, and I don’t think HU pays for the ASI speakers. Donors do.
I think it is kind of funny that you think there is an insidious message the university is trying to get across to their students and yet you are eager to attend. If you really believed that, which I really do believe you do, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to feel disturbed or disappointed rather than “impressed”?
It’s just silly to think that there is no connection between the University and ASI. Just because it is a distinct organization doesn’t mean that it is entirely separate from the larger power structure.
For instance, who do you suppose made the decision to un-invite Ann Coulter a few years ago? Do you think that after all those alumni letters to the president, it was Bob Reely who un-invited her? Doubtful.
For another instance, the Honors College is another separate entity within the school that frequently brings in speakers. They were heavily pressured by the school to “tone it down” after they brought in an atheist and a feminist to speak.
Yes, the funding for ASI speakers seems to be separate from the general fund of the University, but in a lot of ways, the HU central command orchestrates anything that could be “a reflection on the university.”
When did they bring in a feminist? I must have missed that.
Just think: ASI could earn a bigger name if it was not so ideologically driven and more centered on academics. That is not case.
I wasn’t suggesting there’s no connection. Who pays is a technical distinction, I realize.
Haha, sorry Stephanie. I was talking to mattdabbs more, I think. I don’t think you are silly. :)
I’ve sent off a one-and-a-half page long letter expressing my disgust and disappointment to Dr. David Burks.
President George W. Bush does not deserve the opportunity to speak at Harding, and I am appalled that Harding’s administrators continually wish to cheapen my degree from Harding by aligning the University with, and actively supporting or promoting, certain individuals, policies, groups, or platforms more on the basis of their alleged political affiliation than on the basis of whether such people or commentary are worthy of our attention, beneficial to society, or in keeping with the University’s mission.
I most certainly will not be in attendance.
You might be interested in the tsuris that has gone on at Southern Methodist about their successful bid to host the George W. Bush Presidential Library:
http://chronicle.com/article/Opponents-of-Bush-Institute/463/
David,
You can go on and on about who is in control and is pulling the strings but that wasn’t my point. That still doesn’t address the cognitive dissonance you seem to be experiencing between your feelings toward President Bush and your amazement that Harding could land someone who by your standards should have a pretty open schedule since no one should be inviting him to speak.
That’s fine. I was responding to the “insidious message” part. Although that language is inflammatory, I would agree that there is an intentional message that the university cares about very much.
I am actually more interested in your use of the word ‘tsuris,’ but thanks for the article, too.
With regards to the former president speaking at my alma mater, my mood has shifted. At first, I was fairly upset though unsurprised. I do believe that a few years down the road, W. will be an interesting speaker who, perhaps, will allow some insight into his presidency but for now, it’s too soon to be that valuable–except as a conservative political cheering session. Also, Bush is infinitely more palatable than would be Palin.
What gives me the most hope is the knowledge that there are students on campus who are actively against the line-up of the ASI speakers. It serves as proof that their epistoweaponry (thank you Joe Kincheloe for that dynamite word) isn’t fully effective.
@iantrevor — Wow. I’ve gotta remember that word.
Matt,
Allow me to clear up what my intention was, as it obviously didn’t come across in the short message I wrote. I am “impressed” that Harding is, as Random Poster so eloquently phrased it, “cheapen[ing] my degree from Harding by aligning the University with, and actively supporting or promoting, certain individuals, policies, groups, or platforms more on the basis of their alleged political affiliation than on the basis of whether such people or commentary are worthy of our attention, beneficial to society, or in keeping with the University’s mission.”
It’s a bold move, obviously supporting and affiliating the university with a president that is far more often condemned than praised simply for the appeal he brings for conservative alumni and board members (and, I begrudgingly admit, current students).
I will be attending, along with Miss Burley, because I feel that the minority should be represented. And I can’t pass up an opportunity to hear Bushisms from the horse’s mouth.
Does anyone know what topic(s) he’ll be speaking on?
We probably won’t know ’til spring semester sometime, if then. Think generic topics like the importance of leadership, how torture is really good for the world, and how abortions and marijuana are going to lead to the downfall of civilization.
He’ll probably just be really nice and talk about the need to have religion, even as a public official. It’ll be boring, probably.
Isn’t his book coming out sometime soon?
I have yet to receive any response whatsoever from Harding with regard to the letter that I sent to Dr. Burks in late August, in which I expressed my profound disappointment at Harding for inviting President George W. Bush to speak on campus.
It is immensely gratifying to know that the tens of thousands of dollars that I spent at Harding is apparently not enough in order to receive the decency of a simple reply letter.
Should I receive a request from Harding in the future, be it for a donation, recruitment assistance, or otherwise, I’ll be sure to let the requestor know why Harding can most certainly not count on my support.
Did you write Harding out of your will, too? Or at least threaten to?
Have you seen my Will????
In my letter, I didn’t threaten to do anything to or against Harding. Rather, I merely (i) stated my objections to the invitation, (ii) expressed my disappointment at the University’s continued, and perhaps deepening, alignment to certain alleged political affiliations, and (iii) requested that Harding rescind its invitation.
What can I say? An educational relationship and experience at/with a University should be more than a three- to five-year transaction, where a rectangular sheet of paper is essentially exchanged for an ever-increasing sum of money. I guess that Harding believes otherwise.
Why did you object to the invitation?
RP, if you have a copy of the letter saved on your computer or something and would like to e-mail it to me, I would post it here.