Michigan State: Oops!
You have to wonder what officials at MSU, Michigan's largest university, were thinking back in 1990 when they awarded a Marxist, murdering tyrant with an honorary law degree.
By the time 1990 had rolled around, Robert Mugabe had already been accused of disposing of political adversaries, intimidation, and committing mass murder, all the while consolidating his power as President. The accusations didn't cease with Mugabe's high-falootin' diploma either, in fact, being honored in such a way may have even helped to encourage Mugabe to continue on with his political tactics. He had, apparently, at least some support in western academia as evidenced by the degree.
Today, MSU trustees tried to wipe at least some of the egg off its face by revoking the honorary degree.
Perhaps all this big thinking will necessitate a tuition increase in East Lansing. And who knows, Hugo Chavez might really appreciate a couple letters behind his name too.
2 comments:
Hugo is a brash leader with an abrasive style, which should challenge our diplomacy and wave big red flags that name-calling has never worked with machismo Latinos.
That being said, you will be wise to notice that that style makes him popular in this hemisphere where strutting around and making loud noises wins elections.
There is a very successful movement taking place in South and Central America that the USA can support or be left out of. They have been watching the success of the EU in lowering trade barriers, common currency, easier credit, more cooperation, etc.
Every time we insult Dan Ortega, Evo Morales, Castro, or Chavez we set ourselves up to watch as Iran and Russia, etc. make investments in our neighboring countries.
Hopefully, the next administration will select a Secretary of State who can smooth a few feathers that have been ruffled.
Most people in the USA couldn't tell where Surinam is located, but now have just learned where South Ossetia has been. I hope we can become good neighbors and not learn geography the hard way.
We can agree on the brashness of Chavez. Certainly his rooster strut has made him popular with the electorate, not that that will matter an awful lot if he is able to get himself crowned as President for life.
You are better apprised of politics of Central and South America than I am, but I would suggest that the same political tactics that work well with Latinos also work well worldwide. Socialism sells because it panders to the basest form of human emotion, envy. We will have to look to Venezuela in 10 years to see the full value of Chavez' destructiveness. One thing we can be sure, as things devolve there, we will see Chavez casting more and more blame on external forces even though we can predict with 100% certainty that his policies will gut his economy. There will be more private industries taken over, more control over the press, more political prisoners, and more anti-US vitriol. Befriending the little rascal under any pretense will not bode well for the US or, ultimately, for the citizens of Venezuela.
The next secretary of state will have to keep an eye on the strutting little rooster.
PS. I knew where Suriname was without cheating, though I looked just to confirm.
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