Perspective and context are important when reading articles in websites and blogs, or when watching cable channels such as Fox News, MSNBC, or CNN. Activist groups are extensively covered by many of these outlets. These groups tend to be on the fringe, and are not representative of the larger population. Often their methods are abhorrent and extreme. The middle-east crisis engenders strong feelings on both sides, pro-Israel and pro-Palestine.
Once again, I feel compelled to respond to Mark Bennett’s newest commentary. I take issue with the unsupported statements regarding the left and liberals: “…the left has control of our universities, they have suspended democratic process and substituted physical violence.” And: “The Muslims have moved in and trained the left to their techniques. So-called liberal professors now cover up for misogyny.” These are opinions, not statements of facts. Fringe groups are not representative of the college community as a whole and certainly do not define it.
As support for these opinions we are offered articles published in FrontPage magazine. As someone with the curiosity to learn more about the things I read, I undertook a quick Wikipedia check. There are those who like to disparage Wikipedia, but its postings include linked references that can be verified. And I was especially curious after noting this on the FrontPage banner: “INSIDE EVERY LIBERAL IS A TOTALITARIAN SCREAMING TO GET OUT”. A website with that expressed point of view demands further investigation. And let’s be real- a totalitarian is defined as a person advocating a system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state. I know a lot of liberals, and that is the last thing on their minds.
The Wikipedia posting regarding the commentary’s source offers some revealing perspective. For instance, I learned that FrontPage magazine (FPM) is an online conservative political website. Contributors to the site, besides Phyllis Chesler- the writer of the articles mentioned in your commentary- include Ann Coulter, Dick Morris, and Charles Krauthammer. in the past the magazine has honored the following as “FPM Man of the Year”:
2003: Allen West
2004: John O’Neill, head of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth
2006: Convicted U.S. Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compeon
2009: Glenn Beck
2010: The Tea Party Movement
I learned that FPM is one of many enterprises contained within the David Horowitz Freedom Center. The Center is funded by a number of Foundations that support conservative organizations. Along with FPM, some others of these enterprises are:
* Discover the Networks, “a database of alleged left-wing agendas, activists and groups.”
- NewsRealBlog, “a team blog of the David Horowitz Freedom Center. Its focus is to analyze and critique cable shows, newspapers, magazines, and the blogosphere to reveal the political Left's methods and agendas.
The author of the articles cited in Mr. Bennett’s commentary is a much-respected scholar and author. But she has garnered notice in the past with her polemical writing style. I learned in a Wikipedia posting about her that Publishers Weekly was critical of her 2003 book, The New Anti-Semitism. Their review noted that it “too often undercuts itself when its author intends to be provocative", citing lines such as ‘African-Americans (not Jews) are the Jews in America but Jews are the world’s ni**ers’ [asterisks mine], and concluded that ‘Chesler's tone and lack of intellectual rigor will not help her ideas to be heard by those who do not already agree with her’.”
I could go on, but anyone with a computer could do the same. No doubt the events described in Ms. Chesler’s article happened, and in no way am I implying that since they are written about in a conservative-leaning website they have been distorted. But knowing more now about FrontPage, I will endeavor to investigate the events surrounding the incident, and gain more understanding and perspective about them. I would encourage others to do the same. I refuse to believe that they are indicative of the left seizing control of our universities and promoting physical violence.
D. Norman
