2008 Woodie Awards
op-ed: 'Never Forget' rhetoric breeds ignorance
Andrey Tolstoy
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: Opinions
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It is an old rhetorical trick to turn a debate of principle into a debate of detail, and vice versa. If successful, it drags the unwitting opponent into a battle he did not intend to fight, and which he is unlikely to win. In its magnanimous commentary on the defacing of a College Republicans poster, The Campus editorial board tries to do exactly that - but rest assured, EB, we have not lost our vigilance, and we will not be distracted by egalitarian polemics from the real issues at hand.
The debate is not, like the editorial board would have us believe, whether we endorse freedom of expression. The debate is whether we should condone the presence of dangerous, inflammatory material on our bulletin boards. In several European democracies, public display of Nazi symbology is illegal. In America, the likes of white supremacist Matthew Hale are tried in court for abuse of free speech to incite interracial violence.
There are tamer limits to freedom of expression, like yelling "fire" in a crowded movie theatre. Censorship of dangerous material is, therefore, a legitimate topic of debate, and the removal of such material does not necessarily constitute an infraction of freedom of expression.
The "Never Forget" poster strings together instances of America and Americans under attack by Muslim terrorists in different parts of the globe. The message it conveys is of an isolated America facing the menace of militant Islam. For a college that prides itself on a high percentage of international students, and of exemplary programs of international study, it is unbecoming of Middlebury to tolerate this kind of rubbish on its walls. Anyone with a sufficient knowledge of history could point to the dangerous errors embedded in the poster. The events illustrated on it - the Iranian hostage crisis, embassy bombings in Africa, September 11th, flag-burning, and others - are separated not only by time, but by motivation and political context. By weaving them into a unified chain - or, to be more precise, quilt - the College Republicans attempt to incite panic and muddle our understanding of the political challenges facing America, not to mention carelessly promoting racist - and, more importantly, false - generalizations about Arabs, Islam and their relationship to structures of international terrorism.
The debate is not, like the editorial board would have us believe, whether we endorse freedom of expression. The debate is whether we should condone the presence of dangerous, inflammatory material on our bulletin boards. In several European democracies, public display of Nazi symbology is illegal. In America, the likes of white supremacist Matthew Hale are tried in court for abuse of free speech to incite interracial violence.
There are tamer limits to freedom of expression, like yelling "fire" in a crowded movie theatre. Censorship of dangerous material is, therefore, a legitimate topic of debate, and the removal of such material does not necessarily constitute an infraction of freedom of expression.
The "Never Forget" poster strings together instances of America and Americans under attack by Muslim terrorists in different parts of the globe. The message it conveys is of an isolated America facing the menace of militant Islam. For a college that prides itself on a high percentage of international students, and of exemplary programs of international study, it is unbecoming of Middlebury to tolerate this kind of rubbish on its walls. Anyone with a sufficient knowledge of history could point to the dangerous errors embedded in the poster. The events illustrated on it - the Iranian hostage crisis, embassy bombings in Africa, September 11th, flag-burning, and others - are separated not only by time, but by motivation and political context. By weaving them into a unified chain - or, to be more precise, quilt - the College Republicans attempt to incite panic and muddle our understanding of the political challenges facing America, not to mention carelessly promoting racist - and, more importantly, false - generalizations about Arabs, Islam and their relationship to structures of international terrorism.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 15
Andrey Tolstoy
posted 9/26/07 @ 9:49 AM EST
I am actually from St. Petersburg, Russia
The Crack Staff @ Perkisabeast.com
posted 9/26/07 @ 12:00 PM EST
Wow,
Thank you for that thoroughly ignorant defense of policing thought. It is obviously the rhetoric of the College Republicans that got some of our staff attacked outside the US Embassy in Paris 1998. (Continued…)
Andrey Tolstoy
posted 9/26/07 @ 1:57 PM EST
I challenge you to find evidence in my article that expresses ANY position on the Iraq War or abortion.
If the College Republicans, as they purport, are a campus extension of the Republican Party, then it is legitimate to hold them accountable for representing the policies of the GOP on campus. (Continued…)
Pat Miller
posted 9/26/07 @ 5:27 PM EST
Sorry if the facts get in the way of Andrey's world view. The "Never Forget 9/11" poster illustrates acts of terrorism and are a reminder to people what evil has done. (Continued…)
Andrey Tolstoy
posted 9/26/07 @ 9:34 PM EST
Of the facts that stand in the way of my world-view you cite none.
Of the fact that my country is among the nations I list as regrettable victims of international terrorism, you make me out to be a sympathizer. (Continued…)
Pat Miller
posted 9/27/07 @ 9:16 AM EST
Mr Tolstoy's globalist view obviously trumps clarity of thought. His perception is that the United States is just another country. Mr Tolstoy's argument is rooted in moral equivalence. (Continued…)
Andrey Tolstoy
posted 9/27/07 @ 2:07 PM EST
Once again Mr. Miller, I urge you to read my article. In it you will find no reference to terrorism other than lament for the victims it has produced in a long list of countries including my own. (Continued…)
Pat Miller
posted 9/27/07 @ 6:59 PM EST
Mr Tolstoy, I enjoy reading your responses. They reveal your thinking quite clearly. I like the way you put yourself out there. I am curious to know if you are a Noam Chomsky fan?
Knowing history accurately and not with a heavy dose of Liberal political correctness might erase some of your myopic opinions. (Continued…)
Andrey Tolstoy
posted 9/27/07 @ 10:33 PM EST
Mr. Miller, it is my pleasure to entertain your criticism and your pointed comments at my person. You are an astute judge of character - much more so than an astute reader of text. (Continued…)
Pat Miller
posted 9/28/07 @ 7:06 PM EST
Middlebury students need to be educated. A real debate would be an eye opener. Muslim versus Muslim. Why not have a Muslim that agrees with you and have a former Muslim that agrees with my position? That kind of exchange may bring clarity to this issue. (Continued…)
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