Posted on 03/02/2005 4:57:58 AM PST by StayAt HomeMother
George Mason University, Virginias aggressive and increasingly prestigious state school, isnt good enough to have a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Why not? Because Michael Moore didnt get a check for 35 grand and the opportunity to speak on campus.
It seems a small matter. Why punish GMUs undergrads by denying them membership in the prestigious honor society for the dimwitted acts of others? According to letters to GMU, and cited by The Washington Post, Phi Beta Kappa is concerned about free speech and academic freedom.
That was news to us. In decades of campus speech codes, kangaroo courts punishing kids for unpopular views and dozens of instances when speakers were shouted down, Phi Beta Kappa said nothing.
Phi Beta Kappas top staffer said he didnt know of any instances where the organization acted to pull membership from schools that stifle free speech. He refused to check further. Free speech experts couldnt remember any instances and an Internet search and the society Web site revealed zilch.
So there you have it. When free speech for Moore is threatened, Phi Beta Kappa is there to punish kids who did nothing wrong. When the speech of undergrads is threatened, the wise and learned leaders of a two-century-old American institution cant be bothered to lift a finger. Lovely.
My alma mater and one hell of a good history department. They did the right thing refusing Moore, and my next check will include my support for their decision. I'll be damned if my contributions to GMU is going to end up in the pocket of a dirt bag like Moore.
Times change, and organizations do too.
Perhaps the prestige of PBK is due to its history and not to its present day priorities.
Putting things into perspective one should ask "Is it worth it"?
They can stick their key where the moon don't shine. What a bunch of elitist *ssholes (the current national organization, not individual members).
I don't think PHI THETA KAPPA (key) is the same as Phi BETA Kappa...
?????
got me? I don't pretend to know. nor care to either.
I have one. It's not that big of a deal.
"And, has your life been adversely effected in some way (poor health, lack of employment, social problems, etc.) by the lack of this "key"?"
My Mom is a PBK. I can't see how it affected her at all.
They both have keys. Phi Theta Kappa is for two year colleges.
I was in school in the late 60's and early 70's.
at that time and in the small state schools I attended it was considered LAME to be in a frat.
I suppose this has changed.....
Thanks for the clear-up...I attended a 2-year college where I was inducted to PTK.
Screw them, their "key" means nothing. Wanna belong to an organization with prestige, power, and honor... that would be the ones who wear the lambskin.
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