It is ironic
that in a speech not in Congress but on Westminster College campus grounds
In 1946
Churchill warned of an Iron Curtain that Eastern Europe would soon surround
Preventing voting
and expression; residents could no longer leave
Any new
ideas outside the Soviet Union would be given the heave
If Churchill
were still alive and invited to almost any campus to give a speech
He would
find the rapid movement of a new Iron Curtain continuing to extend its reach
Students
could come and go but not conservatives from outside
The two way
exchange of ideas from without and within were more like the outgoing tide
The academic
beach of sand on which ideas and discourse could easily walk
Was now a
slippery path covered in barnacles and sharp rocks
Academic
Freedom is supposed to be about discourse free from threats or raised fists and
shouts
Heckling and
drowning out a speaker because you disagree is not what Academic Freedom is all
about
Nor is it
about a student not questioning a liberal professor’s mind
Not if the
grade is needed and he does not want in his career to be left behind
The issue of
immigration is a major issue which requires some sense of civility and on both
sides discourse
Not whistles,
jeers, shouts, stomping of feet and heckling out the speaker until the
protestors are hoarse
Bay Buchanan
was invited by Virginia Tech’s Young Republicans to give a speech
On
immigration with some conservative views to the attending students
reach
The news accounts indicate the speech prompted
a spirited but civil debate
This is an
issue in which violence and threats from both sides needs to abate
Yet when the
academic freedom dust had settled and cleared,
The Student
Board controlling funds voted to ban them for the rest of the academic year.
Banning
funding to bring speakers from the conservative side
The concept
of Academic Freedom completely derides.
The Young Republicans
announced the decision they will appeal
I hope they
prevail; after all the exchange and debate of ideas is the heart of the
Academic Freedom deal
© November 19, 2014 Michael P. Ridley aka
the Alaskanpoet
Alaskanpoet for Hire, Poems to Admire
Poet Extraordinaire Beyond Compare
Rhymes on the Memorable Times
The Perfect Gift, All Recipients to Receive
a Lasting Lift
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