Isn't it funny . . . - Reader comments at The New York Sun

Reader comment on:
New Columbia Israel Director Denounced 'Occupation'
in response to reader comment: Contributions

Submitted by CU Alum, Feb 28, 2008 16:33

. . . how many people are convinced that they could be fair and evenhanded regardless of their politics but who presume that their political opponents cannot? Why is it so hard to imagine that a critic of Israel's current government can do this job fairly? Would we feel the same way about critics of America's current government -- a group that includes the majority of Americans? It's not anti-American to criticize our government, and it's not anti-Israel to criticize theirs.

Universities should not take a scholar's political leanings into account when deciding on appointments, promotions, etc. Instead, they should (and do) focus on the candidate's ability. Columbia did this. Had they hired a supporter of Israel's policies the Sun would surely presume the process was fair, but how fair can a process be if it will only be deemed a success if the Sun (or the Times, for that matter) likes the outcome?

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
Prof. Yinon Cohen is entitled to his extreme opinions that are rejected by the majority of Israelis. He is also... [MORE]	Joseph Yahalom, Professor Emeritus, Technion	Mar 13, 2008 04:44
G, Jewish people are stunned to hear this. well, they shouldn't be. there are many, many Jews around the world... [MORE]	fabes	Mar 3, 2008 22:13
With academics from TAU, you don't need enemies [MORE]	Jane Garden	Feb 28, 2008 14:15
When will people wake up and stop contributing to this awful place? [MORE]	Stuart Kaufman	Feb 28, 2008 13:57
. . . how many people are convinced that they could be fair and evenhanded regardless of their politics but...	CU Alum	Feb 28, 2008 16:33
Once again, Columbia establishes itself as a place that Ahmadinejad would be happy at. They should also hire David Irving,... [MORE]	Herbert Kaine	Feb 28, 2008 16:33
I really can't understand why professor Judith Jacobson and other Columbia's peace-loving professors should be so angry at professor Yinon... [MORE]	Giorgio S. Frankel	Feb 29, 2008 16:43
Columbia University has assembled an absolute powerhouse of top-notch scholars on the Middle East, and that is something that New... [MORE]	Daniel Breslau	Feb 28, 2008 10:53