Condoleeza Rice withdraws

ScienceChic wrote: Good grief. Can we please debate without the personal attacks and name-calling? Please?



Threatening to disrupt an event is not "stifling free speech" as the 1st Amendment doesn't apply in this situation. Rutgers is a private institution, this is not about freedom to express views against the government without being punished, it was a commencement address. Frankly, I think she should've stuck it out and Rutgers should've backed her if they'd invited her.

Concur, a liberal education used to mean something else. That is the origin of tenure. Keeping professors with unpopular opinions free to express themselves. Now, not so much.

http://hotair.com/archives/2014/05/04/c ... t-address/

..."given that schools are ostensibly in business to support open debate and the exchange of ideas. For one excellent example, see Awful School Is Awfully Intolerant. Adding to the implausible nature of the story was the reason given by the editorial board at Rutgers newspaper.

The largest student newspaper, The Daily Targum, also urged the school to reconsider in a strong editorial that said that none of their commencement speakers should have “questionable politics.”
Seriously? I thought questionable politics was essentially the cornerstone of modern debate. Everyone’s political views will wind up being questionable to somebody. But perhaps the conclusion to this is all for the best, as noted by Rick Moran.

The Rutgers community has every right to make their feelings known about Condi Rice addressing their grads. But they are losing far more than they win when Rice does the classy thing and turns down the invite. It’s easy to place your hands over your ears and shut out ideas you disagree with. "...

Here is her withdrawal statement:

Commencement should be a time of joyous celebration for the graduates and their families. Rutgers’ invitation to me to speak has become a distraction for the university community at this very special time.

I am honored to have served my country. I have defended America’s belief in free speech and the exchange of ideas. These values are essential to the health of our democracy. But that is not what is at issue here. As a Professor for thirty years at Stanford University and as it’s former Provost and Chief academic officer, I understand and embrace the purpose of the commencement ceremony and I am simply unwilling to detract from it in any way.

Good luck to the graduates and congratulations to the families, friends and loved ones who will gather to honor them.

I think she handled a difficult situation with class and consideration.

ScienceChic wrote: Good grief. Can we please debate without the personal attacks and name-calling? Please?



Threatening to disrupt an event is not "stifling free speech" as the 1st Amendment doesn't apply in this situation. Rutgers is a private institution, this is not about freedom to express views against the government without being punished, it was a commencement address. Frankly, I think she should've stuck it out and Rutgers should've backed her if they'd invited her.

Actually Rutgers isn't a private university, it would be the equivalent of CU here. I don't know why they don't call it the NJU.

I just dislike when people use bullying tactics to prevent others from speaking. Especially when they are used against a minority woman. I hope the liberals are really proud of themselves for doing this.
Congrats Lefties, you won, another woman was silenced this month.

So an old, white guy has been found to give the commencement speech instead. #progress. Thomas Keen.

LadyJazzer wrote:

FredHayek wrote: They threatened to disrupt the event if she was to speak there. If that isn't stifling free speech, I don't know what is.

That's called "free speech", Fred. No wonder you didn't recognize it...

Serious question LJ... what about Condoleeza Rice's right to free speech? If some protestors interrupt her by shouting out their opinions, aren't they denying her rights basically through mob force? Why does their right to free speech trump hers?

FredHayek wrote: So an old, white guy has been found to give the commencement speech instead. #progress. Thomas Keen.

White liberals can be a pill.

[youtube:2qy67rq5][/youtube:2qy67rq5]

Nobody that matters wrote:

LadyJazzer wrote:

FredHayek wrote: They threatened to disrupt the event if she was to speak there. If that isn't stifling free speech, I don't know what is.

That's called "free speech", Fred. No wonder you didn't recognize it...

Serious question LJ... what about Condoleeza Rice's right to free speech? If some protestors interrupt her by shouting out their opinions, aren't they denying her rights basically through mob force? Why does their right to free speech trump hers?

You obviously still don't understand what "free speech" means in the context of the Constitution.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

It means Congress, i.e., da Gub'mnt, cannot stop you from saying anything you want, as long as you don't yell "fire in a crowded theater", or cross one of the lines as defined by Whitney vs. California. This is NOT a "free speech" issue. Nazis still march, people still burn flags, people still get shouted down at gatherings... Kind of like when knuckle-dragging politicians shout "You lie!!" in the middle of State of the Union speeches.

Rice was not blocked by the Government. The people (that she was going to be paid $35,000 to speak to) exercised their free-speech to make it clear she wasn't welcome.

If it was my graduation I wouldn't want to listen to a lying warmonger either.

Here...I got yer "free speech" right here:

Wheelchair-Bound Woman Shouted Down At New Jersey Health Care Town Hall (VIDEO)

A new low for these meetings may have been set when the crowd shouted down a wheelchair-bound woman with "two incurable auto-immune diseases" who had the gall to ask a question.

[youtube:2er2pncl]

[/youtube:2er2pncl]

FredHayek wrote: They threatened to disrupt the event if she was to speak there. If that isn't stifling free speech, I don't know what is.

#tooinformedtovoterepublican