University in drastic need ofconstructive debate
The University has fallen victim to extremist debates.
Nothing better illustrates our current anti-intellectual absolutist political atmosphere than conservative author and speaker Daniel Flynn’s lecture, sponsored by the College
Republicans. I attended this lecture because, frankly, I have not heard a rational political debate for a
while and hoped that Flynn
might shed some light into
conservative politics.
He spoke about his book “Why the Left Hates America: Exposing the Lies That Have Obscured Our Nation’s Greatness.” Instead of talking about some of America’s problems and how conservative ideas can solve them, he illustrated America’s greatness through outlandish comparisons, such as black people in this country making more money than those in Africa, and how lucky American women are to not have our genitals mutilated.
The left represented itself in a very churlish manner by jeering and interrupting the speech while Flynn, unprofessionally, answered back and egged them on.
The question and answer session turned into a pissing match between left and right. Flynn rudely evaded questions, saying to one audience member something along the
lines of, “the government doesn’t owe your kid brother a school lunch” and insinuating that another audience member was stupid because he didn’t understand Flynn’s argument. The Leftists did everything but burn his book.
I pose a challenge to the College Republicans and College Democrats. Find some political intellectuals who can have a rational and scholarly debate on America’s issues. Those of us who came for an intellectual discussion don’t want to throw our pearls before swine.
Sermin Yesilada
Eugene