University President Denounces Ann Coulter's Speech as Hateful

Star Tribune ^ | April 26, 2005 | Matt McKinney

[wallcrawlr]

The president of the University of St. Thomas on Monday condemned a speech at the Catholic school last week by conservative author Ann Coulter, saying "such hateful speech vulgarizes our culture and goes against everything the University of St. Thomas stands for."

The Rev. Dennis Dease wrote in Bulletin Today, a university newsletter, that "although her presentation may have been meant as an 'act' or a 'shtick' to entertain by provoking those who disagree, such behavior unfortunately contributes to the growing dark side of our culture -- a disrespect for persons and their sincerely held beliefs."

Coulter spoke at the university on April 18. She was a guest of the school's chapter of the College Republicans and a student newspaper, the Standard, but neither organization paid her speaking fee. That was covered by the Young America's Foundation, a Herndon, Va., organization that bills itself as an outreach program for conservative youth.

A St. Thomas student who heard Coulter said he understood how her comments could have hurt others.

Coulter spoke at St. Olaf College the day before she visited St. Thomas. The president of St. Olaf, Christopher Thomforde, said students told him that her comments were inflammatory for little reason.

"You'd want a kind of intersection between faithfulness and respect and commitment along with intelligent critique and analysis," he said Monday night. "The issues are highly complicated, and to just sort of incite people is not helpful."

[wallcrawlr]

This was a nice ending, Coulter's booking agent, Walker Hayes, declined Monday to contact her for comment. "We get this sort of stuff all the time, so we're not the ones to trouble her with that," he said.

[cripplecreek]

Cripple creek denounces university president as an idiot.

[Borges]

You would think anyone who invites her to speak would know Ann Coulter's style. Why be surprised?

[SlowBoat407]

Ye must adhere to the code!!!

[RushCrush]

Minnesota. Blue State. Nuff said.

[Fenris6]

a disrespect for persons and their sincerely held beliefs.

Like flag-burning?

[RAY]

The president of the University of St. Thomas is another lib who just doesn't get it. These people are so out of touch.

[tarzantheapeman]

The Strib is objective. I trust them. </sarcasm>

[bassmaner]

So, 'Reverend', how would you describe anyone who uses the term 'Little Eichmanns' to describe the WTC victims? A purveyor of 'hate speech'? Or someone exercising his 'academic freedom'?

Inquiring minds want to know ...

[Finalapproach29er]

What an idiotic statement.

[Phantom Lord]

An entire article on Coulter's "hateful speech" but not a single Coulter quote to point to as "hateful."

And follow the rules damnit!

[Rippin]

Frog in hot pot of water attacks alarmist thermometer.

[Brilliant]

"The issues are highly complicated, and to just sort of incite people is not helpful."

It's called motivating the voters. Very helpful, if you ask me.

[26lemoncharlie]

Another Liberal Socialist that cant stand the TRUTH! I can feel his pain!!

[mikeus_maximus]

Im guessing that when he heard her list the stupid things liberals do, the shoe must have fit.

[RushCrush]

who me?

[Publius6961]

I'm sure the good reverend thinks that the Vagina Monologues on the other hand, is art...

[BullDog108]

You know the rules.....

[sportutegrl]

Not one single example of hateful speech.
Making all of these accusations without any proof is itself hateful.

[tarzantheapeman]

I graduated from St. Thomas and am not surprised at the president's comments - they probably fit well with the sentiments of most of the faculty and student body.

I will say, however, the faculty at St. Thomas did a hell of a lot better job in keeping their personal opinions out of lectures and to themselves than some public universities that I subsequently attended.