Ivory Tower Stronghold - Boston University's new plan: Despots in residence.

WSJ Opinion Journal ^ | Thursday, August 29, 2002 12:01 a.m. EDT | BY COLLIN LEVEY

[vannrox]

Only a place with as many advanced degrees as Boston could come up with an idea like this one. On Monday, Boston University announced it plans to offer former African presidents a resident fellowship if they leave power peacefully and democratically.

[vannrox]

While Kenneth Kaunda had to step down, neither he, nor his successor were Despotic. They operated under a Democratic government much like the UK. Certainly there were abuses. But Peace reigned in Zambia ever since the independence.

That aside, I often wonder why one would want to have dictators teaching our youth. Any ideas?

[JPJones]

Robert Mugabe--now in the news for fighting the famine stalking his people by blocking food shipments and evicting white farmers

Which makes him perfect for Boston.

Professor Mugabe....hmmm

[billorites]

"I often wonder why one would want to have dictators teaching our youth."

It might encourage students to complete their assignments in a timely manner.

[putupon]

I would like to believe that our State Dept. would deny any visa request from known despots.

[Texas_Jarhead]

unbelievable

[DM1]

great dump more commie racist to this area just what we need.

[Leisler]

South Boston, anyways.

[freedomtrail]

Don't know much about Southie. Do you?

[livius]

Kind of a weird approach. If it worked, the peoples of the dictators' respective countries would probably love us forever.

The problem is that while teaching positions (no pun intended) are probably groovy for the likes of ALGORE and even BC himself, I don't think they'd fly with your average African dictator. Granted, there'd be coeds galore, but nobody's going to come up and wave a fan over you at the lectern or shoot your enemies in the Quad.

[The Great RJ]

Is Idi Amin still around? He could lecture on how "To Serve Man"--he was a reported cannibal.

[Leisler]

Not much.

I know that the elitists made Southie take it on the chin with busing, while leaving their communities intact.

I'd go to Bayside Expo to see the new boats.

If I was driving into Boston I'd park there, get a beer at the E-street, cab in, and come back, have a beer and head back to the Cape.

I like it, as I like most of Boston.

[freedomtrail]

And I like the Cape. Stay 2 weeks in Dennis every year.