Email from David Boren to OU Students (bombing)

Email from David Boren ^ | 10/6 | David Boren

[CharlieOK1]

Here's an email from Boren sent campus-wide Thursday evening concerning the whole matter, FWIW:

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

[airborne]

It's the same word manipulating that the Dems use.

[CedarDave]

Obviously unaware that a tenacious reporter has dug up several links between McVeigh, Nichols, and muslim terrorists, that may have been in the vicinity at the time.

There is none so blind as they that won't see. — Jonathan Swift

[Majic]

"I wonder why he was talking about the Murrah bombing."

Certainly, that has to be one of the most ironic choices President Boren could have made in terms of an example, and he could not possibly be unaware of that.

David Boren is many things, but a fool is not one of them.

His reference compels me to ponder what other similarities may exist between this case and the bombing of the Murrah Building in OKC.

Maybe the former Senator really is trying to tell us something.

Certainly, I consider this to be the biggest story I have encountered this year, if not, in fact in many years.

I intend to keep researching this matter, and I don't plan to let go of it.

[Rummyfan]

Even when the next bomb goes off Boren will still be in denial. The alumni should be exerting pressure to get this guy out and get some results. OU is lucky that this nut managed to kill only himself. Next time they may not be so lucky.

[CDHart]

"It sounds like it was penned by his PR agency."

Or his lawyer.

Carolyn

[battletank]

And speaking of the next bomb...and only killing himself..

If this apartment was chock full of explosives that are apparently not stable...that entire apartment building was a waiting inferno. Boren keeps saying that no one else was in any danger when referring to those in the stadium. First of all, that's a complete crock IMO and it is CERTAINLY a lie that all those apartment dwellers were not in any danger!!!

[RasterMaster]

Boren running cover for the Religion of Pieces Mooselimbs doesn't hold water.

[samadams2000]

I guess when deballed effeminant spineless moderates leave politics they go into education.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[popdonnelly]

I respectfully disagree with Boren. Asking questions and challenging assumptions is a part of a university education.

[popdonnelly]

Also, I question challenging the motives of the people who are asking questions about this event. It is the lives of American citizens that are on the line here. We don't know how many would have been lost of Joel Hinrichs had succeeded. We are entitled by God, if not the University, to take actions to protect ourselves. It's inappropriate to put our questioning down to simple bigotry.

[katnip]

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...

Ummmmm, yeah. Right....

[Verginius Rufus]

Boren is a Democrat. When the Oklahoma City bombing took place, Clinton rushed to use it as a partisan weapon against the right.

[VRWCmember]

Rushing to judgments on the basis of race, religion, gender, or ethnicity, is not the OU or American way.

But apparently denying and covering up connections to jihadi terrorism is?

[pointsal]

Phooey....Hogwash

There must be a more comprehensive explanation!

[VRWCmember]

Some quickly rushed to the conclusion that the bomber must have been a Middle Eastern terrorist.

That's a lie! Nobody is saying he was Middle Eastern.

As much as I hate to defend this idiot, his statement you are referencing was describing the OKC bombing of the Murrah Federal Building by Timothy McVeigh. While clinton was immediately blaming it on rush limbaugh, many non-leftists were speculating and assuming that islamofacists from iraq or syria were responsible.

[PhiKapMom]

Very well stated! My sentiments exactly!

[tertiary01]

Talk about calling a rush to judgement!

This would have been more believable if Boren hadn't labled it a suicide prior to the investigation.

His employment needs to be terminated. Tha's my rush to judgement!

[PhiKapMom]

Are you serious or did you forget sarcasm?

[rwfromkansas]

What kind of suicide has a huge cache of explosives, David?

This guy needs to get hammered.

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http://webapps.ou.edu/contact/ (select Office of the President)

Call: (405) 325-3916

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