Stefan Beck of The New Criterion’s weblog, ArmaVirumque, points out a brouhaha at the once–great Stanford University over the naming of former defense secretary Don Rumsfeld as visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution. Never mind that Secretary Rumsfeld will not be teaching any classes, the mere fact that he might be in the vicinity of Stanford is enough to send faculty member Philip Zimbardo and his illiberal ilk aquiver. An online petition has amassed more than 1300 signatures protesting the naming of Rumsfeld and the Faculty Senate–the university’s most “deliberative” body–has moved into action. Some are now calling for a reexamination of the university’s relationship with the Hoover Institution, founded nearly 90 years ago after a $50,000 endowment by future US president and Stanford alumnus Herbert Hoover.
An email has been circulated denouncing Hoover’s recent action. A key statement reads that Rumsfeld lacks: “intellectual and academic experience and/or some measure of achievement.” The “measure of achievement” phrase is laughable, for Rumsfeld has been a US congressman; White House chief of staff; defense secretary for two different presidents (serving longer in that position than any predecessor save one); graduate of Princeton and attended Georgetown Law School. Sounds like Rumsfeld is a classic underachiever.
The San Jose Mercury News condemns the desire by some hyperactive Stanford professors to prevent Rumsfeld from joining Hoover. ArmaVirumque’s Beck bemoans the fact that Stanford professors seek to ban, not debate. His post is here.
The Stanford University Daily piece is here.
The Mercury News editorial is here.
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Filed under: Uncategorized , ArmaVirumque, Hoover Institution, New Criterion, Rumsfeld, Stanford University
