Harvard head urges a deeper patriotism

Boston Globe ^ | November 25, 2001 | Patrick Healy

[Cincinatus' Wife]

CAMBRIDGE - After a quiet few months as Harvard University's new president, former US treasury secretary Lawrence H. Summers has begun using the post as a bully pulpit to forward a bold idea: In response to the Sept. 11 attacks, the academic world should get more in line with mainstream Americans.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

One hundred, less than patriotic, quotes from U.S. universities since the 9-11 attacks. Defending Civilization: How Our Universities Are Failing America and What Can Be Done About It

"At a time of national crisis, I think it is particularly apparent that we need to encourage the study of our past. Our children and grandchildren-indeed, all of us-need to know the idea and ideals on which our nation has been built. We need to understand that living in liberty is such a precious thing that generations of men and women have been willing to sacrifice everything for it. We need to know, in a war, exactly what is at stake." Lynn Cheney, October 5, 2001

[beekeeper]

''I don't think it is a university's job to unite us under the banner of patriotism. Its job is to unite us under the banner of truth, veritas,'' said Ben McKean, a Harvard senior who has helped organize campus peace rallies this fall. ''My concern is whether his views will cross the line, where people who don't share his views feel uncomfortable expressing their own.''

This guy is the type who wants no dissent from his views and wants others to feel unconfortable. In essence, he is saying he will lose the debate.

[OldFriend]

Nothing ever done by former clintonistas can be taken at face value. These people ALWAYS have an ulterior motive and can NEVER BE TRUSTED.

[Fiddlstix]

Bump

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

Summers's comments have bothered some students, who see the school as a refuge from the pro-Americanism of national politics.

TRANSLATION: The leftist, pinko commie liberals who go to Harvard are worried that their anti-Americanism will be brought into the spotlight for all to see. They can always transfer to Cal-Berkley.

[Howlin]

I am beginning to think we should keep a list of all the "positions" that former Clintonistas occupy; I am convinced THEY are convinced they are a "government in waiting," and have embedded themselves in all types of positions where they will have high visiblity in 2004.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Nothing ever done by former clintonistas can be taken at face value. These people ALWAYS have an ulterior motive and can NEVER BE TRUSTED.

My instincts exactly. They also are trying to sound concerned about the state of public schools.
Since they have done everything to destroy them, it rings false to me.
They want to control the debate and the process in order to maintain the status quo.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Good idea! List the snakes in the grass.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The leftist, pinko commie liberals who go to Harvard are worried that their anti-Americanism will be brought into the spotlight for all to see.

Ha! We're getting to be experts at their dissembling.

[BunnySlippers]

It's absolutely SICK that someone needs to point this out to people who purport to be "smart"!

[OldFriend]

The scum are further infesting academia......Anyone considered colleges ought to be taking a look at the list of professors and then letting the school know you won't be considering their institution as long as they hire such people.

[KQQL]

If every company in America said they will not hire a Harvard graduate till the school opens up the ROTC program, then I bet it will start ASAP.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

In essence, he is saying he will lose the debate.

He goes to Harvard where they give As and the LIBERAL stamp of approval.

[Howlin]

''My concern is whether his views will cross the line, where people who don't share his views feel uncomfortable expressing their own.''

I don't seem to remember any liberals worrying about what WE felt like when we tried to express an opinion that was different from theirs, do you?

[Howlin]

I cannot believe I have gotten so worked up at 6:56 on a Sunday morning........LOL.

[LinnieBeth]

Boy, am I missing something.
When/by whom was Summers replaced?

[mewzilla]

...refuge of pro-Americanism..."

Hahvahd isn't a refuge, it's a cesspit.

[everclear]

Mega - Dittos.

Anyway, can you just imagine what kind of no - god, lazy, barracks - lawyering REMF commandos would end up joining the military from Harvard?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

O'Neil replaced Summers. Steve Forbes should be U.S. Treasury Secretary.

[Anamensis]

Okay, anybody see the inherent contradiction in the following?

And his bullishness on America stands out on a campus where people tend to resist moral absolutes...

''I don't think it is a university's job to unite us under the banner of patriotism. Its job is to unite us under the banner of truth, veritas,'

And herein lies the problem. These kids THINK they are smugly against moral absolutes when they are actually awash with them. Anyone who thinks liberals don't consider their opinions to be moral absolutes should try getting the liberal to even listen while you state your case.