Yes to Terrorists, No to ROTC?Anita Doberman | September 27, 2007
This week, Columbia University was on my mind. Since I’m an alumna, I was bombarded by e-mails, statements from alumni offices, and all sorts of comments regarding Iranian President Ahmadinejad’s speech at the university. My inbox was full of messages stating that Columbia had exercised true freedom of speech and that the United States, and the world, was better off because of it.
I beg to differ, on both points.
~snip~
Columbia administrators claim that having the Iranian president speak shows the world that the University believes in and protects our freedom of speech.
I believe this isn’t true. A four letter word comes to mind: ROTC. ROTC isn’t allowed on the Columbia University campus. Students have to attend classes at other colleges in New York if they participate in it.
Inviting someone who is anti-American, who denied the Holocaust, who claims that there are no homosexuals in Iran (which ironically is the same reason why ROTC isn’t allowed on campus, because of discrimination against gays and lesbians) is enlightening. But having ROTC on campus is oppressive and discriminatory?
~snip~
I would like to see Columbia and the other Ivy Leagues invite ROTC back on campus. Maybe some of these students, professors and administrators who invoke freedom of speech as the basis of their actions or rather inactions can learn about the men and women who protect these freedoms with their own lives.
Rest of article at:
http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,150743,00.html