Speaking Truth to Duke's Academic Terror

Front Page Magazine ^ | Rabbi Steven Ballaban

[Michael Goldsberry]

Speaking Truth to Duke's Academic Terror

By Rabbi Steven Ballaban FrontPageMagazine.com | September 24, 2004

The following letter from Rabbi Steven Ballaban to the president of Duke University deals with Duke's agreement to host the Fourth Annual Conference of the Palestine Solidarity Movement in mid-October. FrontPage Magazine exposed this story, and we have since drafted our own letter to Duke, asking them to open its proceedings to the media. Past annual conferences -- one of which was addressed by Sami al-Arian -- have justified suicide bombing and featured violent rhetoric. Click here to sign our letter. -- The Editors.

Richard H. Brodhead, President,Duke University 207 Allen Building Box 90001 Durham, NC 27708-0001

Dear President Brodhead:

I am writing you concerning the decision to host the Palestinian Solidarity Committee's fourth annual conference at Duke University this October. I have spoken with your assistant, and with Dean Sue Wasiolek this morning. However, I felt the need to communicate with you directly in writing, as well.

During my conversation with Dean Sue Wasiolek, she explained that the University had carefully considered this decision, and was familiar with the position of the PSC on terrorism, and advocating the use of violence as a tactic in achieving their goals. While I understand that Duke University is committed to maintaining an atmosphere of open inquiry, and protecting the right of free speech of students on campus, I also know that there are limits to the exercise of free speech.

It is obvious that the administration of Duke University also recognizes that there are limits to free speech. Duke University maintains a policy that controls the manner and location of protests and pickets. Your policy, as referenced in your "Q&A on the Palestine Solidarity Conference," states:

[pabianice]

Only defunding these cesspools of liberal hatred will there be change. Alumni? Are you listening?

[Cicero]

Click here to sign the letter:

http://www.frontpagemag.com/content/lettertoduke.asp

If you fill it out it then takes you to a contribution page. Hopefully you don't need to contribute to have your signature go through. I thought that was more than a little pushy on the part of Front Page Magazine to spring a donation page at you like that. But the letter is certainly worth signing.

[Gwaihir]

Absolutely I am. I informed Duke alumni solicitations years ago that I will not give one dime to my alma mater until that time when the liberal policies and their authors are removed. I'm still waiting. Meanwhile, I have informed my 3 homeschooled children that they will not be attending Duke on my money; and I tell anyone who asks just what I think about Duke. Many are surprised--they had no idea how liberal the University has become. But I've seen things get progressively worse over the years, and find it very sad. It seems Coach K is the only remaining virtue.

[judywillow]

fyi