Condoleeza Rice withdraws as Commencement speaker at Rutgers after protests (Update — Does this mean Hillary should be banned too?)

That’s the observation of Sonny Bunch to the news that Condoleeza Rice is withdrawing as a Commencement Speaker at Rutgers after protests against her and threats to disrupt the festivities if she spoke:

College campuses essentially operate on mob rule at this point. http://t.co/CxGXKG3XcR — Sonny Bunch (@SonnyBunch) May 3, 2014

NRO reports that the following statement is to be released this morning:

Commencement should be a time of joyous celebration for the graduates and their families. Rutgers’ invitation to me to speak has become a distraction for the university community at this very special time. I am honored to have served my country. I have defended America’s belief in free speech and the exchange of ideas. These values are essential to the health of our democracy. But that is not what is at issue here. As a Professor for thirty years at Stanford University and as it’s former Provost and Chief academic officer, I understand and embrace the purpose of the commencement ceremony and I am simply unwilling to detract from it in any way. Good luck to the graduates and congratulations to the families, friends and loved ones who will gather to honor them.

Why are we always the ones concerned about distractions caused by other people?

This is why we lost the campuses. We let the load mouths and bullies have their way.

I blame Rice as much as the bullies. By withdrawing, Rice sends a message to other campuses that the tactic works.

I also blame the President of Rutgers, who according to NRO, turned out to be a wimp:

Protesting students had occupied the office of the president the other day, with signs reading “No honors for war criminals” and “War criminals out.” In a statement when the controversy first erupted, Rutgers President Robert Barchi said, “We cannot protect free speech or academic freedom by denying others the right to an opposing view, or by excluding those with whom we may disagree. Free speech and academic freedom cannot be determined by any group. They cannot insist on consensus or popularity.” Barchi had adopted a different tone this week: “I frankly wish from my point of view that this whole affair was not here right now because it’s distracting from what great things we’re doing as a university. … It does have us, for better or worse, right in the crosshairs right now.” No longer.

The bursting of the higher ed bubble can’t come soon enough.

UPDATE: What about Hillary? Why should she be allowed to speak on campuses under this standard?

@EricBoehlert Does that apply to Hillary? — Legal Insurrection (@LegInsurrection) May 3, 2014



