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Home Front: WoT

Students protest Khatami's speech at Harvard

2006-09-11

Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami's visit to Harvard University on Sunday was met by protesters, many of whom called on him to stand up for human rights. Police estimated about 200 people protested, some carrying signs that said "Iran supports terror."

Many protesters outside the speech at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, blamed Khatami for failing to stop government crackdowns on student activists in Tehran during his two terms in office. Several human rights organizations say the crackdowns are believed to have been initiated by his rivals and approved by Iran's ruling Muslim clerics. "His speech is on ethics and violence. It would be very bizarre if he came here to speak on ethics and violence and did not acknowledge and discuss his own record in Iraq," said 21-year-old Harvard student Eric Lesser. "Students were arrested and thrown in prison for speaking their mind in the same way we're doing right now."

Posted by:Fred

#7 True. At least you're fighting the good fight.

Posted by: mcsegeek1 2006-09-11 12:28

#6 It's a challenge, but teaching them how to think critically, and why it's important, is THE most important thing for faculty to do no matter what their field.

I'm teaching freshmen this year. It's easier on that score than the previous several years when I taught seniors. At 22+ they think they have things nailed. However, the period from 18-22 or so is a time of great changes in the brain (demonstrable physical changes) and an opportunity to grow conceptually. After that it's a lot harder ....

Posted by: lotp 2006-09-11 12:06

#5 I wish I had as much faith as you do, Nimble. Can't help thinking a dhimmi is a dhimmi, regarless of the historical context. I teach part time at a local University. Despite the fact that many of my students did 'come of age' on 9/11, it's shocking to hear their complete lack of understanding about what's actually happening. Robotic recital of the MSM's PC garbage is what passes for thought and analysis. And this, mind you, from a 'conservative' University. God I hope you're right, but the evidence seems sorely lacking.

Posted by: mcsegeek1 2006-09-11 12:00

#4 It's going to be very painful to unfuck our institutions of "higher" learning, methinks.

Not really. It's just going to take patience waiting for all the boomers to retire or die and be replaced by the generation that came of age on 9/11. But that patience is going to be painful and not all of us will live to see it. But it will ahppen.

Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-09-11 10:06

#3 Of course, on the other hand, I wonder what percentage of each class are actually full tuition paying students

Actually the worst are not the students from porr neighborhoods and social programs (did I say that I qualify in both aspects?) who are the worst dince most of them know a bit about life and try to get in real carreers. The worst are the poor, rich white kids in unmarketable disciplines and with complex of guiltiness (eg Pol Pot Fonda).

Posted by: JFM 2006-09-11 10:01

#2 Amen.

Posted by: flyover 2006-09-11 03:18

#1 Wow. I guess not all of the spoiled children of privilege have swallowed the BDS poison pill - yet.

Of course, on the other hand, I wonder what percentage of each class are actually full tuition paying students... Isn't a big chunk of each composed of beneficiaries of various social engineering cabals? This speculation, if correct, may explain why these Ivory Towers are so eager to compete for and accept the hordes of Saudis getting "education visas" as well as those tainted "grants" from the Royals...

It's going to be very painful to unfuck our institutions of "higher" learning, methinks.

Posted by: .com 2006-09-11 03:01

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