2014/05/29/Universities becoming bastions of intolerance
- when: 2014/05/29
- author: Ray Sanchez
- source: CNN
- topics: Michael Bloomberg protesting is suppressing free speech Condoleezza Rice/Rutgers protests Harvard University commencement speech equating paid speech with free speech tolerance of intolerance US/education/higher/university US/education/higher captive audience
- keywords
- link: http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/29/us/bloomberg-harvard-speech/
- title: Michael Bloomberg: Universities becoming bastions of intolerance
- summary: "Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, delivering Thursday's commencement speech at Harvard University, criticized what he described as a disturbing trend of liberals silencing voices 'deemed politically objectionable.'"
"This spring, it has been disturbing to see a number of college commencement speakers withdraw -- or have their invitations rescinded -- after protests from students and -- to me, shockingly -- from senior faculty and administrators who should know better," Bloomberg said.
The billionaire former mayor cited an October speech during which his ex-police commissioner, Ray Kelly, was shouted down by students at Brown University. The university canceled Kelly's speech when protesters opposed to the police department's stop-and-frisk policy shouted down and interrupted Kelly.
Bloomberg noted other universities have had speakers back out. He pointed to Rutgers, where former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice withdrew amid protests, and Smith College, where International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde withdrew after a student petition.
"In each case, liberals silenced a voice -- and denied an honorary degree -- to individuals they deemed politically objectionable. This is an outrage," Bloomberg said to applause.
Response
- /woozle - I can't believe he can even say this with a straight face -- but apparently there are a lot of people who think he is absolutely right. They appear to be people who basically believe that rule-by-elites is necessary, and who support all the evil that follows from such a philosophy (Straussianism).