Standing Up to the Bullies: The University of Texas Quits The American Studis Association Over The Latter's Israel Boycott

This is something I keep talking about of late. An organization with an agenda (usually leftist) demands a firing -- in this case, the American Studies Association demanded a firing of Israel. The firing would take the form of an academic boycott of the beleaguered nation, which would mean that universities joining the boycott would sever programatic ties with Israel and Israeli universities.

Over 100 universities and academic organizations have rejected the ban.

And five universities have taken even firmer action against the "American" Studies Association's drive to limit free speech and free exchange of ideas -- they've severed institutional ties with the ASA completely.

The University of Texas honors itself by becoming the sixth to do so.

I am hopeful for more backlash against this odious, unamerican practice. It has become the standard move to give in to a bully when the bully issues a list of demands. It is easier for a university -- or a corporation, as we've seen lately -- to just give in to the bully.

Squeaky wheels get grease, after all.

But what if Squeaky Wheels stopped getting so much grease? What if they instead got a swift kick to the axel and were told they'd better stop squeaking so shrilly or they'd be rubbished?

It's about time we all started standing up this sort of faux-intellectual brigandry. It's time to tell the baying mobs, ever out for blood, to STFU, keep a civil tongue, and make us all a nice sandwich in apology for their past sins.

posted by Ace at 04:03 PM

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