I totally disagree. Why shouldn't Duke say no to extortion? The university already contributes BILLIONS to Durham's economy. How many BILLIONS MORE, exactly, will make you happy, bvw???
I also feel you are way off-base in your condescending comment about "volunteerism." It is those acts of kindness, concern and dedication, or "points of light", if you will, that the everyday citizen is going to remember - not the cash that Duke gives to it's PD.
Oh I'm for volunteerism. If, however, you detect a condescending tone in my words -- which if there *was*, it was for the way voluteerism was portrayed, is offered up as some grand magnificent sacrifice -- how do you not detect in that very last linked-to letter you presented? That letter is AWFUL PR.