Attn: Diogenes, Please Bring Your Lamp to the White Courtesy Phone
Forget finding an honest man. I want him to track down one person who either accepts or rejects the conclusions of both the ad-hoc grievance committee’s report on the Middle East Studies Program at Columbia and the report of the Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction (pdf). (Columbia report via Crooked Timber. WMD report via QandO.) I can conceive someone who agrees that there is no antisemitism in Columbia’s middle east faculty. I can conceive someone who agrees that no politico intimidated the conclusions of US intelligence in a war-friendly direction. I can’t conceive of them as the same person.
But maybe someone’s out there. Chime in if it’s you.
Comment by Frank —
April 1, 2005 @ 12:39 am
Easy.
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Obviously there are antisemites in Columbia’s middle east faculty.
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Of Course the neocons in the White House intimidated the conclusions of US intelligence in a war-friendly direction.
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I find it wierd that people seriously hold positions opposite either of the obove.
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You’ve been talking to way too many too partizan people.
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(Tho I am not sure antisemite is the appropriate term shouldn’t we call them bigots instead?)
Comment by Jim —
April 1, 2005 @ 6:57 pm
I’m not one of your people, but plenty of Egyptian Christians (Copts) might fall into that category. As a group I think most were for the war, which might mean you’ll find a few willing to believe the report of the Commission on Intelligence. And I’d bet most would be willing to believe that Columbia’s faculty is not anti-semitic. These *are* Arabs after all.
I could probably dig up such a person with a little effort. I can think of plenty of candidates among people I know.
Comment by Avram —
April 3, 2005 @ 10:56 am
No antisemitism? None at all? Isn’t that a high standard to meet?
Are there any other university departments we’re expecting to be 100% free of bigotry or other intellectual vice?