Tony Kushner row deepens as supporters renounce honorary degrees

A row over the decision by a leading New York university to refuse playwright Tony Kushner an honorary degree due to accusations he was too critical of Israel has deepened as several high profile honorary degree holders renounced their own awards.

Kushner, who wrote the Pulitzer prize-winning Paul Angels in America, was set to get an honorary degree from John Jay College, a campus of City University of New York. But his name was removed from a list of other intended recipients after a CUNY trustee, pro-Israel activist Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, spoke out against it.

Wiesenfeld accused Kushner of being critical of the Israeli army, supportive of a boycott of the country and of saying that Israel had been founded partly as a result of ethnic cleansing. In an open letter to CUNY Kushner responded angrily, denying the allegations, accusing Wiesenfeld of slander and saying he was "proud to be Jewish".

Now, in the wake of Kushner's letter, at least three prominent previous recipients have declared they no longer want their honorary degrees from the university. Barbara Ehrenreich, an acclaimed activist journalist, issued a statement saying she had renounced her 2004 award. "Please expunge me from your record of past honorees," she said. She was joined by Michael Cunningham, who also has won a Pulitzer, for his book The Hours, and was given an honorary degree in 2009. "I was shocked and dismayed to hear about the treatment Tony Kushner received at the hands of the CUNY board of trustees," he said in a statement.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/may/06/tony-kushner-supporters-renounce-degrees

to use it to stifle debate.

And Kushner isn't even anti-Zionist, for YHWH's sake. Nor, from what I've heard, does he loathe himself in the slightest(well, at least not any more than most people loathe themselves...)

Any DUer who has not seen or read Angels in America should do so, the HBO version is widely available, with the full Streep Pacino sort of cast.

Israels security is sacrosanct,does that mean Israel can do no wrong,we are not allowed to speak of her bad behavior in Gaza,the West Bank the invasion of Lebanon,the bombing of Iran?Any other country that do those things are branded as terrorist,why not Israel when they invade other countries?America is being used as the big bad brother,bully in the eyes of the Arab/Muslim world but we continue this madness on the road of destruction.Reign in BeBe and his bullies let justice flow like the mighty Nile and maybe,just maybe we can have peace in the middle east.

One of your finer pieces.

Just when did Israel bomb Iran? You have said this a few times now.

I always love "tempest in the teapot" shit like this, because it really shines a light on ignorance in so many ways.

Just because I don't agree with your idea of justice does not mean I am ignorant,but it say a lot about you.In your eyes can Israel do anything wrong?you continue defending the a government out of control.

I said nothing about my idea of justice, you only have your "biased" view, and that isn't the only reason your post is ignorant. In your eyes, can Israel do anything right? I doubt it. I, however, do see problems with the decisions and actions of the Israeli government at times. You continue spewing propaganda and bullshit.

Edit to add: "Defending those that bring dishonor to this and their country"

Who am I defending? Who is bringing dishonor to this (USA?) and their country (Israel)?

Israel bombed Iraq in 1981 not Iran,but BiBi has threatened to bomb Iran,the Israeli government is a menace in the middle east and the cause of most of the strife in the area.You continue defending a country you seem to love,why do you remain her in America?

"Israels security is sacrosanct,does that mean Israel can do no wrong,we are not allowed to speak of her bad behavior in Gaza,the West Bank the invasion of Lebanon,the bombing of Iran?" Bolded to help you.

Your idiotic propaganda is so predictable as to rival the rising of the sun or the turning of the tides. Israel is the "cause of most strife in the area?" :rofl:

Why do I remain in America? I am American. What, because I oppose your rancid propaganda, I should trade in my citizenship? Perhaps you think I am more loyal to Israel? That is really what you are saying...CLASSY!

seem to be your answer for everything Israel does that offend others.It is not the Jewish people I find fault with,it's the behavior of their ruthless government,but you defend them as if they are saints,saints no sinners yes.I am not asking you to trade in your citizenship,"You can't serve two masters",I have read most of your post and their is something troubling about most of them you seem to think Israel can do no wrong which place you in the minority of people on the planet,your dislike for Muslims and their freedoms is very transparent.Most of our problems with the Arab world can be traced back to our unconditional support of Israel if we have no concern about our allies behavior then we do live in a fools paradise.

There is a "Jewish government?" Alert the media!

You keep making the SAME allegations sans proof, often the mark of propaganda. You make claims about me and don't bother to prove them, just keep repeating them. However, repeating them over and over does not make them true. And, yes, you did ask me (or insinuate) I should trade in my citizenship ands do so again with your stupid ","You can't serve two masters"" remark. Face it, a Jew who doesn't slobber at the feet of anti-Israel propaganda is not loyal to his/her country of origin/residence. It is one of the older anti-Semitic charges thrown against Jews and you have now done it twice! CLASSY!

You again, accuse me of things without an iota of a proof. Typical. I don't think Israel is the horrid, evil master of hell you do, and there fore I "dislike Muslims?" LOL! The "leftist" version of false cries of "anti-Semitism." Disagree with anti-Israel pieces/propaganda, then the person must hate Muslims.

"Most of our problems with the Arab world can be traced back to our unconditional support of Israel if we have no concern about our allies behavior then we do live in a fools paradise."

Again, repeating something over and over, doesn't make it fact or truth. Nothing more but rancid propaganda and it exemplifies lack of actual knowledge of the situations in the Middle East.

anti-Semitism
an attitude or policy of hatred and hostility toward Jewish people.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/anti-Semitism

Definition of ANTI-SEMITISM
: hostility toward or discrimination against Jews as a religious, ethnic, or racial group
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-semitism

How do you define it?

Sir I am not an anti semite,I am not a racist nor am I anti Religion,I consider myself pro Justice.As I mentioned before it's Israels government policies that I find disturbing.The treatment of the citizens in Gaza,the West Bank and the Arab citizens inside Israel at times is inhumane.As a person that have seen injustice up close and personnel I understand your fear of the past repeating itself,we stand together concerning the hate,lies and disregard for human life.Again if I have offended you in any way I apologize.God bless you and yours.

exposure will reveal that you are truly a shill for a foreign country.

You have implied it twice!

Your tirade against anyone that questions Israel behavior speaks volumes about your loyalty to that country,maybe you have a blind spot and don't realize it,my statements are factual yours are emotional,emotions can never stand up to facts.

CLASSY!

Even if I did launch "tirades" against anyone questioning Israel (which I haven't done in this thread), it doesn't imply loyalty to that country. Your BS is akin to the those who were against the killing of Osama being accused of really being OBL supporters...logical disconnect.

I find it interesting you continue to claim a Jewish poster is more loyal to Israel than the US. Classic anti-Semitism.

BTW, making up shit, opinions, and allegations do not constitute "fact."

Edit: spelling

I thought about you and our tit tats,I realized I made some allegations that were unfounded,your support of Israel should not disqualify your citizenship,you have every right to voice your thoughts.I want you to know I have nothing against the Jewish(Israeli) people,I have Jewish friends it's not the citizens it's their government and the policies they carry out against their neighbors.You have caused me to rethink some statements I made I've never claimed to be without flaws your statements are very enlightening.I hope you'll forgive me if I have caused you any grief.Shalom go in peace.

rejecting the so-called honor! Obviously it isn't an honor if a certain group doesn't want it to be.