No Tutu - Yes Coulter

Image from Wiki.

From Pioneer Press:

Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu will speak on a St. Paul campus next spring about peace and peacemaking - but it won't be at the University of St. Thomas.

St. Thomas leaders chose not to bring Tutu to campus after hearing concerns about "hurtful" comments he's made about Israel that might offend local Jews, a university official confirmed Wednesday.

The youth group that wanted Tutu at St. Thomas moved its conference to Metropolitan State University, where the Nobel laureate will lecture April 11.

St. Thomas' loss is surely Metropolitan's gain. Look at the picture. How could you disinvite that man?

St. Thomas has invited controversial speakers before. Two years ago, conservative author and commentator Ann Coulter came to the campus to speak about her book, "Slander: Liberal Lies About the American Right," an appearance that required extra security.
....

Marv Davidov, an adjunct professor at St. Thomas, was incensed by the decision.

"I think the Israeli lobby in our country has been attempting to silence criticisms of Israel in the academic world. That does a disservice to the state of Israel and all Jews," said Davidov, 76, who said he experienced anti-Semitism as a child in Detroit.

He said anyone who criticizes Israel for treatment of Palestinians, and for tactics such as demolishing homes of suspected terrorists, ends up labeled as anti-Semitic.

Not only that, but Professor Cris Toffolo, who was chair of the Justice and Peace Studies program was removed from her position as chair. Because she is a tenured professor, she could not be fired.

What can the administrators be thinking? Desmond Tutu is a giant of a man, a living saint, a Nobel Peace Prize winner. They look very foolish.

Note: It appears that you may now have to register to read the article in the Pioneer Press, but you can read the story at Minnesota Public Radio.

Thanks to Juan Cole for the tip.