Condoleeza Rice could have taught those graduates a lesson in class.
The former secretary of state and national security advisor to President Bush bowed out of a planned speech at Rutgers University with a graceful Facebook announcement on Saturday, saying the “invitation to me to speak has become a distraction for the university community at this very special time.”
The distraction was caused by liberals in the faculty and student body who couldn’t apparently bear to see a black woman of unparalleled distinction honored by their university because they disagree with her politically.
And Twitter users, including prominent conservatives like “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak, were quick to point out the absurdity of an institution supposedly devoted to fostering intellectual thought turning itself into a ghetto of self-imposed isolation. And inviting ridicule in the process.
Rutgers reportedly considering dropping rice from on-campus menus and having all bushes removed.
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) May 3, 2014
Which drew a pretty funny rejoinder.
@patsajak How will they protest Dick Cheney?
— Adam (@AdamRWeinstein) May 3, 2014
Kidding aside, though, there’s something drastically wrong when misguided activists with a totalitarian mindset manage to close the campus of a major university to one of the most prominent Americans of her generation because they don’t want to hear — and don’t want the entire community to hear — her thoughts and what the future of this country holds.
That’s just shameful, and self-defeating, as Townhall.com Political Editor Guy Benson pointed out.
Rutgers students & faculty fought valiantly to uphold the core human right never to be subjected to views with which one disagrees. #Heroes
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) May 3, 2014
He was far from alone in reacting that way to the news.
Sickening development. “@RichLowry: EXCLUSIVE: Rice Withdraws from Rutgers Commencement http://t.co/6w3RSEZsVS via @NRO”
— Brit Hume (@brithume) May 3, 2014
Marketplace of ideas? Nope. RT @RichLowry: EXCLUSIVE: Rice Withdraws from Rutgers Commencement http://t.co/u9KwnbsoAQ via @NRO
— Monica Crowley (@MonicaCrowley) May 3, 2014
War on Women alert! Thug squad chases accomplished black woman away from giving speech on campus! http://t.co/ngQK3VNUVn
— John Hayward (@Doc_0) May 3, 2014
In the announcement, Rice noted she was proud of her service to her country. “I have defended America’s belief in free speech and the exchange of ideas. These values are essential to the health of our democracy. But that is not what is at issue here.”
As a professor, provost and chief academic officer at Stanford University, Rice wrote, “I understand and embrace the purpose of the commencement ceremony and I am simply unwilling to detract from it in any way.”
“Good luck to the graduates and congratulations to the families, friends and loved ones who will gather to honor them.”
That is what’s called a class act.
Rutgers Class of 2014 could have learned something.
.@RutgersU Why do your graduates this year hate successful minority women?
— Steve K (@stephenkruiser) May 3, 2014
That’s a damn good question.
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