Public opinion polls during the past few weeks have consistently shown that people believe supporting the war in Iraq is patriotic, but many critics of the Bush administration believe there is another important part of patriotism — protecting individual rights when the United States is at war.
Recognizing that issues of secrecy, presidential power and open debate and criticism of the government are taking center stage, the University Office of the President has brought national historian Stanley Kutler to campus to shed light on these concerns.
“He’s directly relevant to many of the issues our society faces now,” Executive Assistant President Dave Hubin said.
Kutler will be on campus today and Tuesday, visiting several classes and giving a public lecture in 110 Law at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The historian has drawn national acclaim both for his extensive work as a scholar of modern political history and his investigative pursuit of the release of more than 200 hours of secret Watergate tapes. Kutler has also written several books, such as “Abuse of Power: The New Nixon Tapes,” and published several op-ed pieces stressing the necessity of dissent and American citizens’ right to question their government.
“No government likes dissent, but they’re not going to be able to do much about it,” Kutler said.
The president’s office is coordinating Kutler’s visit, with the sponsorship of the law school, the history department and the School of Journalism and Communication. Hubin said the president’s office wanted to bring Kutler to the University because he could offer students a valuable perspective on current events.
Kutler will be visiting with students and professors in three classes, as well as having lunch with University President Dave Frohnmayer and giving a public lecture. He will be talking about liberating the Nixon tapes during his speech, but he will also be discussing issues of governmental power, secrecy, executive privilege and the right to dissent.
Journalism Professor Steve Ponder said he is thrilled to have Kutler visit the graduate seminar class he teaches. He added that Watergate has a special symbolic meaning for journalists and represents one of the greatest triumphs of American journalism. However, Ponder said everyone, not just journalism students, should attend Kutler’s public lecture because the issues he will be addressing touch everyone’s lives.
“Anyone at this point who challenges the policies of the administration faces a great deal of criticism,” Ponder said. “It is often said that truth is the first casualty of war.”