How very tiresome that reactionary members of Zionist lobbies (how many profit from, or are friends with those who profit from, the arms and munitions industry, I wonder?) persist in persecuting rational observers of the continuing human rights abuses of the Israeli government against the long-suffering (40 years and counting) Palestinians. Not content with hounding top-flight academics like Norman Finkelstein (who was "retired" from his position at DePaul University) and Juan Cole (whose offer from Yale was withdrawn), pro-Israel-no-matter-what attack dogs have now scuttled a talk at the University of St. Thomas---thanks to the helpful interference of University President "Father knows best" Dennis Dease---by Desmond Tutu, winner of the Nobel Peace prize, among other accolades.
As if this supression of reasoned observation weren't outrageous enough, the cancellation was accompanied by the removal of Cris Toffolo, the chair of the Justice and Peace Studies program (which had sponsored Tutu's talk), from her position as chair, for "the way she questioned the administration's decision". Toffolo has tenure (thank heavens) but no longer heads the department.
Muzzlewatch has further details and the means to write a letter of protest here.
UPDATE: Facing widespread condemnation for its decision to block a speaking invitation to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the University of St. Thomas announced Wednesday that he would be welcome on the campus after all. While many on the campus said that they were pleased with the reversal, some also questioned whether the university was doing enough to undo damage from the incident.
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