[Vision2020] UI and WSU statement on slavery (Questioning Authority)

[rodney johnson]

Oh for those bygone days when free-thinking people used to paste “Question 
Authority!” bumperstickers on their cars manufactured by, of all people, 
Germans!

First, the disclaimer:  I am in no way connected to Christ Church or any 
bogeymen affiliates.

Second, the background:  I just finished reading “The Shadow University,” a 
recent account by civil libertarians (from the Left) Kors and Silverglate, 
of the new McCarthyism sweeping American university campuses and, voila! – a 
real-life application in the two sanctimonious pronouncements issued by the 
big cheeses at UI and WSU.

Third, a little address to any free-thinking people, or at least any latent 
free-thinking people, that may still exist on this list:

The website of UI’s Office of Diversity and Human Rights 
(www.webs.uidaho.edu/diversity), while displaying warm and fuzzy language 
about “inclusion” and non-discrimination based on religious views, among 
other things, has posted in downloadable format a copy of the hit-piece 
written by two UI history professors, who rail against the “followers” of 
Wilson and against certain clusters of Protestant churches based on their 
theological views, stereotyping them (red flag!) in the broadest possible 
brush as “fascists.”  The professorial hate is palpable.  I wonder if the 
University-sponsored actions of the doctoral duo that unashamedly target 
people with certain religious beliefs would give pause to, say, the 
promoters of the Respectful Climate Survey?  Unless, of course, Raul Sanchez 
doesn’t really mean what he says.

Maybe the Latah County Human Rights Task Force can assure visitors to Moscow 
in February that they will not be singled out for harassment based on their 
religion, in the form of hate-filled shouting, plastering of stickers on 
their businesses, and other forms of “protest.”  It would truly be a 
wonderful opportunity for Moscow to show the world just how tolerant, 
inclusive, and respectful of others that it really is, unless of course, 
Joann Muneta doesn’t really mean what she says.

Let me pause to muster the requisite level of reverence and awe to say that 
the respective presidents of UI and WSU showed true COURAGE in STANDING UP 
to the FORCES OF EVIL banging at their gates.  Oh, Hallelujiah!  With their 
JOBS ON THE LINE, their very CAREERS AT STAKE, it would have been SO EASY to 
CAVE INTO THE RESTLESS MOB just outside their doors.  But instead, in a fit 
of righteous indignation, they drew the line in the sand: “NOT IN MY TOWN 
YOU DON’T!”  (Not without a fight anyway.)  What a display of commitment to 
their core values of inclusion, diversity, and tolerance!  What a display of 
commitment to academic freedom!  As Tom Hansen, that most free-thinking 
soldier who dreams of half-full glasses and long wooden spoons, would say, 
“Don’t you think (or don’t you think?)?”

- Rod Johnson

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