Re: Paul Findley, Academic Freedom, Middle East Policy, and the Right of Dissent
Reader comment on item: When the University Sponsors an Antisemite

Submitted by Doug Rees (United States), Aug 3, 2008 at 18:20

First, I do apologise for having taken nearly four years to respond to your blog. I know that this is 'bad Internet etiquette', but sometimes the temptation just can't be resisted.

I have read and re-read your blog several times, and nowhere do I find any indication that Mr Findley's speech was, in fact, 'anti-Semitic'. Nowhere does he seem to have attacked Jews, either individually or as a people; or advocated that they be denied any basic human rights. The speech solely concerned American policy toward Israel; and, in particular, the former Congressmen warned against the 'Israel Lobby' and implied that America should 'suspend' its aid to Israel.

Regardless of whether these ideas are correct or incorrect, they are certainly not, in themselves, 'anti-Semitic'. I am opposed to giving Ireland billions of dollars of American money. Does that make me 'anti-Irish'? My grandfather Killerlain would turn over in his grave at such an insinuation.

I am a life-long Democrat; and probably would have voted against Mr Findley had I lived in his District--though for other reasons than his views on the Middle East. However, as an American citizen, he has a perfect right to express his convictions. As an institution of learning, Northwestern Universiy has both a right and a duty to promote the widest possible expression of differing opinions.

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