[Disclaimer: I am a liberal.]Sometimes liberals are idiots (a John Stuart Mill quote comes to mind). Today, liberal students at the New School University booed Senator John McCain as he gave their commencement address, unwittingly lending sympathy to a man who, by embracing Jerry Falwell, had his moderate credentials handed to him char-broiled and ready for eatin'.
Wake up, fellow travellers! To win an argument, first listen. From the NYT:
Some 1,200 students and faculty signed petitions asking the university president, former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey, to rescind the invitation. Petitioners said McCain's support for the Iraq war and opposition to gay rights and legal abortion do not keep with the prevailing views on campus.So what? He's an important figure -- like him or not, he not only has a right to speak his mind, but it is well within the character of a university to give multiple opinions a fair hearing.
I remember when GHWB gave a pre-commencement address at Stanford in 1994. Students booed, and I didn't get to hear what he had to say. Did I like Bush? Hell, no! Did I want to hear him? Yes. Stupid liberals.
Oh well.
(Image NYT)
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