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Today's update from Chuck Muth:

You Can't Fix Stupid

"sooo, I go to Duke, and yes it is ultraliberal, as are most college campuses today, but I also believe it is a place where we embrace radical points of view as an integral part of the marketplace of ideas. is Laura
Whitehorn a role model? no, certainly not. She is a criminal--but she is a criminal who has served her time. In the united states, we believe in giving people second chances."

So writes a Duke student (name withheld to protect the guilty) after we blew the whistle on the university's scheduled appearance on March 3 of a convicted bomber of the U.S. Capitol. And yep, this appears to be a perfect
example of the results of "whole language" education, 'cause that's exactly how the note was received.

But grammar aside, what a head full of mush. "We embrace radical points of view as an integral part of the marketplace of ideas"? Who are they gonna invite next? bin Laden? Saddam Hussein? SEN. PATTY MURRAY? And what kind of "second chance" would the victims of this radical terrorist bomber have received had anyone been killed?

I worry for this young person. Ignorance can be cured. But you can't fix stupid.

The Thelma & Louise of Bombers

For those of you who may not recall the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Capitol, here are some additional details: It was done to protest the rescue of those students on Grenada by President Reagan. And it was apparently targeted at
Republicans, as the bomb was placed in a rest room next to the GOP cloakroom. And Laura Whitehorn's convicted accomplice in the bombing was one Linda Sue Evans. That name ring a bell? Well, if you had memorized the list
of last-minute pardons coughed up by Bill Clinton it would.'cause Evans got one. Skunks of a feather, stink together.

Duke Shrugs

Statement Regarding Guest Speaker at African & African-American Studies Program

By David Jarmul [david.jarmul@duke.edu]
Associate Vice President, News and Communications
Duke University

January 17, 2003

"Duke University has received inquiries in response to a January 16 commentary in the Wall Street Journal's online 'Opinion Journal' regarding Laura Whitehorn, who is scheduled to participate on March 3 in a speaker series at Duke. As the article notes, Ms. Whitehorn was recently released from federal prison after serving more than 14 years for her role in planting a bomb in the U.S. Capitol building in 1983, in protest of the U.S. invasion of Grenada. She has been active in recent years on behalf of prisoners who are HIV-positive.

"Ms. Whitehorn was invited to speak about HIV/AIDS in prisons. The invitation was extended by Becky Thompson, who is a visiting professor at Duke through the current spring semester, teaching a graduate course, 'Teaching Race, Teaching Gender,' in Duke's African & African-American Studies Program.

"Duke does not exert control over or pressure its faculty and departments in their selection of campus speakers. One of our nation's greatest values, and one we at Duke celebrate, is the freedom for people to express their thoughts openly. Students, faculty and other members of the Duke community benefit from hearing and debating a wide variety of ideas. We have confidence in the ability of the members of our community to analyze and critique the arguments they hear, an activity that is central to democracy, and to universities in particular.

"Duke hosts speakers with a wide array of views. During the week Ms. Whitehorn will appear, for instance, it will also hold campus events on topics ranging from spiritual responses to environmental problems to intellectual property in cyberspace. Some speakers may hold views that others consider too radical or tainted to be provided a forum. Nonetheless, Duke remains committed to the academic freedom that has contributed so much to the traditions and strength of our nation."

**One of our nation's greatest values, and one we at Duke celebrate, is the freedom for people to express their thoughts openly.**

Except for conservatives, of course.