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The George W. Bush Library: Asset or Albatross for SMU?
United Methodist Nexus ^ | January, 2007 | William K. McElvaney and Susanne Johnson

Posted on 01/22/2007 8:49:05 AM PST by Fiji Hill

The George W. Bush Library: Asset or Albatross for SMU?

By William K. McElvaney and Susanne Johnson

For some time Southern Methodist University has pursued the George W. Bush Presidential Library. We assume this quest will not likely change. Nor do we doubt that the best interests of the university are honored in the minds of SMU’s administration.

Indeed, we have great respect for SMU’s present leadership and its many remarkable achievements. In this instance, however, we seek to love the university in a different way by offering an alternative viewpoint and by raising questions we regard as healthy for both SMU and for public conversation.

We are perplexed and concerned on two levels. The first has to do with process or lack thereof. In conversation with SMU faculty in several schools of the university, we have yet to find any substantial evidence that university-wide conversations regarding the library have been encouraged.

The right of the SMU administration, with trustee approval, to seek the library is not in question. The wisdom of such decision without broad campus discussion forfeits a golden opportunity for students and faculty to experience the give-and-take learning process so basic to a university’s purpose. This seems to us to be especially pertinent in a university striving to encourage ethical considerations through open dialogue.

In our judgment SMU’s best interests are served when leadership proceeds without assuming that the reasons for seeking the library at SMU are self-evident. Open conversation honors the academy as well as indicating respect for faculty and students.

Our second concern is with both the short and long term implications for SMU becoming the presidential library site. It is often said that a presidential library is not about the policies and practices of a given administration, regardless of the consequences of those actions. Rather the issue is said to be the providing of a permanent historical repository for presidential papers, documents and artifacts. Presumably such a library becomes a prestigious center for scholars, historians and interested citizens to participate in programs, study and enjoyment, to say nothing of enhancing area tourism and thus the economy. It cannot be reasonably denied that a number of presidential libraries serve a positive purpose as stated.

That said, what does it mean ethically to say that regardless of an administration’s record and its consequences, it makes no difference when considering a bid for the library? What does it mean ethically for SMU to say a war violating international law makes no difference? That a pre-emptive war based on false premises, misleading the American public, and destined to cost more American lives in Iraq than the 9-11 terrorist attack, makes no difference? That the death of thousands of innocent Iraqis by our “shock and awe” bombing in the name of democracy, verified by international organizations and Iraqi doctors, is of no consequence?

These realities are not about partisan politics. Rather we are concerned with deep ethical issues that transcend politics. Do we want SMU to benefit financially from a legacy of massive violence, destruction and death brought about by the Bush presidency in dismissal of broad international opinion?

What moral justification supports SMU’s providing a haven for a legacy of environmental predation and denial of global warming, shameful exploitation of gay rights and the most critical erosion of habeas corpus in memory?

Given the secrecy of the Bush administration and its virtual refusal to engage with those holding contrary opinions, what confidence could be had in the selection of presidential papers made available to the library? Unless the Bush library philosophy is radically different from the already proven track record of isolation, the library will be little more than a center for the preservation and protection of privileged presidential papers. What would that mean for academic integrity based on open inquiry?

SMU does not need a presidential library to host significant scholars and events on the campus in order to analyze the Bush legacy. In fact, SMU already has the Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility, which sponsors first-rate conferences on key issues and promotes ethical reflection and discernment on the campus and beyond.

So would the George W. Bush Library be an asset or an albatross for Southern Methodist University? The question deserves open debate and dialogue among lovers of SMU.

Rev. William K. McElvaney is professor emeritus of preaching and worship, and Susanne Johnson, Ph.D. is associate professor of Christian education at Perkins School of Theology, one of 13 seminaries officially related to The United Methodist Church. This article is adapted from one they published in the SMU student newspaper.



TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: academia; bush; library; methodists; smu
Religious Left alert.
1 posted on 01/22/2007 8:49:06 AM PST by Fiji Hill
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To: Fiji Hill

I throw up on the liberals at SMU.


2 posted on 01/22/2007 8:54:26 AM PST by rightinthemiddle (Without the Media, the Left and Islamofacists are Nothing.)
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To: Fiji Hill

I went to SMU for two years in the early 70s before thinking better of it and tranferring out.

The library could bring some
new claim to fame for the university and might even enhance scholarly work. But....

But if the Methodists and campus liberals get their way, SMU can continue to reamin in amazing obscurity given its location, etc. It is hardly known as a mecca of scholarship. Instead thank to these caring liberals, it will still mainly be known as the school that got the death penalty from the NCAA. What a legacy. At least Eric Dickerson and Craig James had profitable post SMU careers even if the school was never the same.


3 posted on 01/22/2007 9:37:17 AM PST by rod1
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To: Fiji Hill
Wonder what the take of William K. McElvaney and Susanne Johnson is on the response of Duke U. to the rape fraud case . . .
4 posted on 01/22/2007 9:38:36 AM PST by conservatism_IS_compassion (The idea around which liberalism coheres is that NOTHING actually matters except PR.)
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To: Fiji Hill
What does it mean ethically for SMU to say a war violating international law makes no difference?

What is "international law"? What international governing body passes "international laws"? How does a war that enforces the terms of over a dozen UN resolutions, and one that is executed by a coalition of over 30 nations -- all members in good standing of the UN -- violate some imaginary "international law"?

5 posted on 01/22/2007 9:43:03 AM PST by VRWCmember (Everyone is entitled to my opinion.)
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To: Fiji Hill

From the same source, a tribute to Katrina --

"I saw God destroying something old so the people can build something new."

I taught at SMU back in the sixties. If this is the mindset on campus today, the school's become a travesty.


6 posted on 01/22/2007 10:01:09 AM PST by gcruse (http://garycruse.blogspot.com/)
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To: Fiji Hill
I see no reason to discuss the decision about the Bush Library with the faculty or the students. I'm sure they were not included in, nor participated in, the construction of present buildings on the campus. I think these two so-called religious leaders reveal more about their non-religious stance than they do the teachings of God!

IMO, these two people are writing as political activists and not in the interest of SMU, their academic positions, and certainly not as Christians! Susanne Johnson has this to say on The Democratic Party of Collin County Meetup Group website, " Since 1982, I've taught in the theology department at Southern Methodist University.... am best described as an extremely liberal, progressive evangelical Christian You can find my photo at: http://www.smu.ed... "

After doing a Google Search on both McElvaney and Johnson, I would not want either of them teaching my children or grandchildren. They both seem to promote liberal theology and political positions that are contrary to what the Bible says.

7 posted on 01/22/2007 10:35:35 AM PST by PeskyOne
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To: Fiji Hill

Fine. Then bow out gracefully and let Baylor have the library. ;o)


8 posted on 01/22/2007 10:39:42 AM PST by shezza (God bless our military heroes)
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To: Fiji Hill

Maybe this group of "ministers" should spend a little more time in the Word and less on politics:

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."
1 Timothy 2:1-4

My mother was very active Methodist for 60+ years and her father was a Methodist circuit rider. They would be shocked at how the Methodist church has evolved. There are far more important issues the church should be sharing with their flock instead of spewing anti-Bush, liberal talking points for a university issue that is largely ignored by the general church population.

I graduated from SMU and found the University to be relatively conservative (I was a "head full of mush" liberal back then). Of course there are pockets of the extreme left on any campus. Most of the campus is supportive, including many professors. This will be a huge asset for SMU and Dallas. This is just your typical knee-jerk "hate the President" created controversy.


9 posted on 01/22/2007 10:42:53 AM PST by Kandy Atz ("Let him rave on that men may know him mad.")
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To: Fiji Hill

Why does Bush even want the library to be on a college campus?


10 posted on 01/22/2007 10:45:55 AM PST by Revenge of Sith
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To: rightinthemiddle

Was there such an uproar about LBJ's library (and associated School of Public Affairs) being at UT Austin? It just doesn't make sense to me.


11 posted on 01/25/2007 10:19:34 AM PST by Burkean
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