Posted on 10/06/2005 3:57:55 PM PDT by Tuba-Dude
Dear OU Students, Faculty, and Staff,
I want to thank you again for your responsible and constructive reaction to the tragic event which occurred last Saturday evening. I appreciate the concern which many of you have expressed for the family and friends of the deceased.
Most of the news media, including our own OU Daily, and most citizens have responded very responsibly. Unfortunately, there are always a few who do not. Among the core beliefs which define us as Americans and which define us as members of the OU family from all backgrounds is a respect for others. We believe that we should not judge others or jump to conclusions about others on the basis of color, race, gender, economic status, or freely exercised religious beliefs. To rush to judge others or make assumptions about them on that basis is nothing short of prejudice. It has no place in America and it certainly has no place at the University of Oklahoma.
Unfortunately, we have seen examples of a rush to react in a manner not in keeping with our values in recent history. A reading of some media reports and comments from individuals made at the time of the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City is enlightening. Some quickly rushed to the conclusion that the bomber must have been a Middle Eastern terrorist. There were video shots of international students on Oklahoma campuses shown on news broadcasts as this speculation was reported. As we all now know, the person responsible was not someone from the Middle East but was Timothy McVeigh and at least one other American who assisted him. We can only hope that all of us, including some media outlets, would have learned from that recent rush to incorrect conclusions.
I have been assured that law enforcement officials including federal officers have found no evidence of a conspiracy involving others which creates an ongoing threat to our OU community. They have kept me informed of the steps being taken in their investigation. You can be assured that if I receive any information to the contrary, I will immediately inform you and take steps to protect our community.
In fact, national law enforcement statistics compiled confirm that we have a low per capita crime rate. OU has long been dedicated to the safety of our students.
Thank you again for your help and understanding. Thank you for reaching out to the members of our OU family who have come from nations all over the world to let them know that they are valued and respected on this campus.
Rushing to judgments on the basis of race, religion, gender, or ethnicity, is not the OU or American way.
Sincerely,
David L. Boren OU President
I guess he's promoting the alternate, official version of reality that your average American TV addict is comfortable with.
If my memory serves me correctly -- the very first 'blaming' occured by the now impeached clinton blaming Rush Limbaugh for the bombing.
The old days of news gathering and reporting are over - they have rathergated themselves!!!!
LOL!! My ten year old son gets it!!
hehe
Bunch of Bravo Sierra but I have come to expect it in recent days.
Owl,
This thread needs some screen time here on FR. I don't know how to ask the Moderator to do this? Do you, can you?
Thanks for the *ping*. This is important. More people need to be informed about this.
I heard most of the Mark Davis interview with the father. I remember the father also trying to make sure we understood that his son didn't really know the Paki roomate..It was just a rooming for financial convenience. There was more..but can't recall now.
Yeah, but someone should tell President Boren that this kid tried to bring a bomb into his football game. And that, by all appearances, the kid was a jihadi wannabe.
Thanks for the ping!
I spit on it.
I s*it on it. What a joke. Does he even realize how pathetic this letter is? Who's kidding whom?
Maybe someone is blackmailing him. The letter reeks with pathetic weakness.
"Rush" to judgement?
That's rich... ironic, bitterly so... didn't "Rush" and "hate radio" get smeared for the original OKC bombing?
Maybe this overeducated fool should read these:
I think somebody is calling the shots, and it's probably Homeland Security or the FBI. Boren is just playing the tune that's called.
Maybe so, but he seems to be going out of his way to look pathetic and foolish.
Oh, absolutely- I'm not defending the putz! lol
That's an interesting notion.
"REMAIN CALM...ALL IS WELL!"
Among the core beliefs which define us as Americans and which define us as members of the OU family from all backgrounds is a respect for others.
My auto-translator responded with this translation...
"It is probable that there is some connection to Middle-Easterners and terorism, as well as the OKC Bombing before, as well as the Mosque in Norman, but it would be impolite to even LOOK into the possibilities! Just go about your business sheeple, and ignore the Terrorists in our midst, even though New York City is on alert for the EXACT SAME thing happening there!"
Well ain't that just dandy. Not too many purse snatchings in Norman OK, so if anyone needed further proof, there you have it. So one nutjob tried to blow hisself up - what's the big deal?
WTC 1 bombing, Sudan, Kobar Tower, USS Cole, 9/11, Shoe bomber, DC sniper, Madrid, London, Israel,etc etc etc all those events down the memory hole.
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