To the editor: It’s my understanding that talking your thoughts at elite universities has lengthy been dangerous. Saying or writing one thing that somebody finds offensive can land a scholar or college member in sizzling water. (“Faculty presidents are presupposed to be ethical leaders, not evasive bureaucrats,” Opinion, Dec. 11)
However when the presidents of three high faculties testified in Congress in regards to the latest explosion of anti-Semitism on campus, they appeared like ACLU legal professionals exploring the bounds of the first Modification.
Their efficiency delivered to thoughts the favourite double customary of authoritarians: “For my associates, the whole lot; for my enemies, the regulation.”
At Harvard, the College of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Expertise, whose presidents testified in Congress, it is speech codes and secure areas for associates. For Jews, cautious constitutionalism.
Michael Smith, Georgetown, Ky.
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To the editor: Should you take heed to your complete congressional listening to on campus anti-Semitism, it is clear that faculty presidents had been tricked into considering that the query they had been answering was one thing like, “Ought to a scholar be expelled for utilizing a slogan like ‘from the river to the ocean?’ ”
The reply, in fact, is: “It relies upon.” However sadly, what they thought had been clever, considerate responses torpedoed their careers.
What liberal-minded folks will hopefully take away from this terrible assembly is in case you go up in opposition to a intelligent demagogue like Rep. Elise Stefanik (RN.Y.), who questioned faculty presidents, carry your A-game or do not present up.
John Bauman, Los Angeles
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To the editor: The query to the school presidents was primarily whether or not calling for the killing of Israelis and Jews violates their insurance policies on harassment and bullying.
The reply is sure.
This isn’t the form of mental confrontation that opens college students to views that battle with their very own. “From the river to the ocean” is a name to liberate the area from Israel.
Bruce Halpern, Torrance