Submitted by Christina Smith, Sep 25, 2007 11:45

"I find this idea utterly antithetical to the fundamental values of the academy, where we will not hold intellectual exchange hostage to the political disagreements of the moment. In seeking to quarantine Israeli universities and scholars this vote threatens every university committed to fostering scholarly and cultural exchanges that lead to enlightenment, empathy, and a much-needed international marketplace of ideas," Mr. Bollinger said

Yet that was precisely what Mr. Bolinger himself did, as president of University of Michigan. He denied a generation of students undergraduate admissions into this highly-sought after public ivy league because he wanted to decide what the racial composition should be at the university. With his approach, extra points were given if you were a member of CERTAIN minority groups- oh no, not all minority groups, only select ones that Lee Bolinger deemed appropriate.

So for years, plenty of applicants to this highly-selective university were denied a chance to be at U-M because they did not fit Lee Bolinger's ideology. And this was happening for years at a PUBLIC UNIVERSITY funded by TAXPAYERS.

Thankfully, albeit too little and too late, the U.S. Supreme Court intervened after 2 applicants and would-be students filed suit. The undergraduate admissions policy was ruled un-constitutional. Shortly thereafter, the people of Michigan spoke and struck down the policy entirely.

Yet Lee Bollinger to this day is complaining and whining about this and remains incredulous that his little ideology did not stand and was struck down. He moved on to the private Columbia University, where just yesterday he is continuing his ideological comments yet again, negatively characterizing and labelling the president of Iran before the man even opened his mouth and spoke one word. It's quite obvious that Lee Bolinger was trying to protect himself from the wave of criticism that he would face for inviting such a controversial person to speak. So once again we see that Lee Bolinger is not a man of principles. He will shift his positions as he sees the political environment sees fit.

Lee, you need to face the reality that's difficult for your arrogant and self-righteous self to face- you are not smarter and better than the people that you serve, and you cannot continue to dictate and impose policies on the people you are supposed to be SERV ING. As a host at a college forum for a foreign dignitary, you are supposed to simply make an introduction. Don't make any characterizations about them beforehand- let the audience decide for themselves. By instead doing so, you undermine the intelligence and automony of the audience to make their own decisions and judgements.

If you are so concerned about diversifying education, you will focus your efforts at the inconsistent funding of K-12 education, NOT AT THE HIGHER EDUCATION LEVEL. By the time someone enters college, their academic ability is already molded to a large degree.

You are supposed to provide leadership, not dictatorship, and ironically you accuse others of the very misdeeds that you commit yourself, time and time again.

It doesn't matter if you move to another university, your ideology and hypocrisy will follow you wherever you go.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.