Bush Derangement Syndrome is now affecting various perplexed citizens wound up about the George W. Bush presidential library and policy institute proposed for SMU in Dallas.
Naturally, there's the faculty, anxious to prove their handwringing, leftist street cred, but with the school president and others trying to talk sense.
Southern Methodist University's president told about 175 professors Wednesday that any agreement to put the Bush presidential library, museum and a policy institute on the campus will preserve SMU's academic values and ethics."I assure you that any real or perceived fears or concerns about the institute or any part of the library in some way inhibiting this university's practice of academic freedom and diversity of opinion and practices are unfounded," SMU President Gerald Turner said.
Dr. Turner, along with SMU's provost and faculty senate president, used the regularly scheduled faculty meeting to allay recent concerns some professors have raised about the library. Chief among their worries is a public policy institute that would promote the Bush administration's domestic and international goals. Some faculty have said they worry about SMU being affiliated with an unpopular president who has led an unpopular war in Iraq.
When even the president of the faculty senate is supportive, that's a working consensus.
Now activist Methodists are bestirring themselves.
A group of Methodist ministers has begun a national petition drive asking Southern Methodist University to remove itself from negotiations to get the George W. Bush presidential library."Because SMU is owned by the United Methodist Church, the imposition of a George W. Bush library, museum and think tank at SMU will irreparably connect the denomination with this presidency,” said Rev. Andrew J. Weaver, a petition organizer in Brooklyn, N.Y. and 1978 graduate of SMU’s Perkins School of Theology.
Rev. Weaver said the petition organizers are deeply troubled by Mr. Bush’s decision to invade Iraq, detain prisoners and allow torture.
“I think that George Bush has been in his presidency so inconsistent with fundamental Christianity that he should not be associated with a Methodist university,” Rev. Weaver said. “Methodist means decency and this man has not been decent.”
Frankly, I think it's the rev who has "decency" problems.
President Bush himself weighed in today, but we know none of the BDS victims will be satisfied.
President Bush sought Thursday to quell complaints on the SMU campus that the library he’s planning would offer lopsided views of his administration and public policy.“I understand there are some who have reservations, and my admonition to them, or my advice to them is, just understand that a library and institute would enhance education. It would be a place for interesting discussion,” he said. “It would be a place for people to be able to express their views and write and think. And these universities, I think, understand that and are excited about the prospects, and so am I.”
It's much ado about nothing. All presidential libraries and the often-associated policy schools or institutes are reflective of the respective presidency, be it conservative, liberal, or incoherent.
I worked at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at UT in Austin long ago, rubbing shoulders with both former LBJ and Kennedy administration figures on the faculty and various student politicos. It was as liberal as the day is long, but did not detract from the University. These things add prestige, especially in the long run. SMU should stick with the plan and reap the benefits.
Posted by Alan at January 18, 2007 05:56 PM