WMU's Students Disgust Me
I am in shock right now. I just returned to my dorm room after attending a speech by Pat Buchanan. The speech was well attended because of the publicity it got with being on the same day as Chaves day. The opposition, liberal, turnout in the crowd was very high. On almost every talking point you had one half of the ideological room cheering, it reminded me of the political rallies during campaign season. After Buchanan’s speech, after about four questions in the question and answer period, a college aged individual with a mow hawk moved swiftly up the center aisle of the room. By the time anyone realized what was going on he had reached the podium directly in front of Mr. Buchanan. Next thing we know, Buchanan is covered in something, presumably paint.
How embarrassing for Western Michigan University. The speech, while politically charged, was peaceful. Protestors out front waved the Mexican flag as listeners entered. Individuals in the crowd cheered for talking points they liked. They had the right idea. And yet someone goes and does something stupid. The irony in all this is that Buchanan is not your run of the mill Republican. He doesn’t even classify himself as a Republican, rather an Independent who votes Republican. He spoke in criticism several times of President Bush, and I know for a fact that some of the liberal minded folks that attended agreed with him on at least a little bit of what he had to say.
The painter, likely a student at WMU, blatantly insulted a respected Conservative pundit, former Presidential advisor and nationally known figure. Ask that kid what issues he disagrees with he probably couldn’t even tell you. I’m sure he only read the Gazette this morning and saw that the event today was likely to be a controversial one.
After the speech in the lobby of my dorm, I overhear a few students talking about what happened. Chuckling to themselves about what happened and making fun of Mr. Buchanan’s good natured response, they mocked, “Doesn’t taste very good.” What would they have liked to see? A violent response from the speaker?
President Bailey wrote before this speech, “When confronted with a speaker or material that does not reflect our personal values, it is our responsibility to model rigorous debate and exchange that honors the richness of the diversity we celebrate,” and, “...the real test of freedom of speech is whether we can maintain our commitment to that freedom when faced with the most offensive views.” WMU fails, President Bailey, miserably. I am embarrassed to be a Bronco.
(edited 10:29)
How embarrassing for Western Michigan University. The speech, while politically charged, was peaceful. Protestors out front waved the Mexican flag as listeners entered. Individuals in the crowd cheered for talking points they liked. They had the right idea. And yet someone goes and does something stupid. The irony in all this is that Buchanan is not your run of the mill Republican. He doesn’t even classify himself as a Republican, rather an Independent who votes Republican. He spoke in criticism several times of President Bush, and I know for a fact that some of the liberal minded folks that attended agreed with him on at least a little bit of what he had to say.
The painter, likely a student at WMU, blatantly insulted a respected Conservative pundit, former Presidential advisor and nationally known figure. Ask that kid what issues he disagrees with he probably couldn’t even tell you. I’m sure he only read the Gazette this morning and saw that the event today was likely to be a controversial one.
After the speech in the lobby of my dorm, I overhear a few students talking about what happened. Chuckling to themselves about what happened and making fun of Mr. Buchanan’s good natured response, they mocked, “Doesn’t taste very good.” What would they have liked to see? A violent response from the speaker?
President Bailey wrote before this speech, “When confronted with a speaker or material that does not reflect our personal values, it is our responsibility to model rigorous debate and exchange that honors the richness of the diversity we celebrate,” and, “...the real test of freedom of speech is whether we can maintain our commitment to that freedom when faced with the most offensive views.” WMU fails, President Bailey, miserably. I am embarrassed to be a Bronco.
(edited 10:29)