Letter to the Editor; SG resolution plagued with problems
Michael Marcus
Issue date: 10/17/06 Section: Perspectives
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I am writing in regard to the anti-Israel "divestment resolution" recently passed by the Student Government (SG). As a UM-D alumnus, I was extremely disturbed by this resolution.
There are three factors causing my distress:
First, the biased nature of the SG's deliberations in passing this resolution, and the lack of debate therein.
Second, and related to the first, the apparent bias of some of the SG leaders, and their dismissal of complaints or alternative viewpoints.
Third, the one-sided language of the resolution, containing, as it does, many demonstrable falsehoods.
Regarding the SG's deliberations, according to their own press release, the only "expert" testimony heard was that of Hussein Ibish, of the Arab-American Political Action Committee. Mr. Ibish has a known history of controversy due to, among other things, his anti-American, anti-Israeli, and anti-Semitic views.
The press release states that there was a discussion period, but nowhere does it say that alternate or dissenting opinions were heard, or even sought.
Regarding the SG leadership, it is no secret that Mr. Baydoun, SG president, has gone on record numerous times in the last two years, urging university communities to take anti-Israel action.
Some citations are:
The Michigan Daily, UM, Letter to the Editor, Dec 13, 2004
The State News, MSU, on March 2, 2005
The Michigan Independent Media Center, March 22, 2005
Another SG leader, Senate speaker Bilal Dabaja, also has a public record of anti-Israel, and possibly anti-Semitic, activism:
He has stated that he gets news from Al-Manar, the Hezbollah propaganda organ, Detroit Free Press, March 20, 2005
He publicly defended the Muhammed cartoon rioters, saying, "There is freedom of the press, but there should be limits:" University of Michigan-Dearborn Reporter, Feb 13, 2006
He attended this summer's anti-Israel rally in Dearborn, where he led chants with a bullhorn. At this rally, "Death to Israel," was among the chants shouted: The Arab-American News.com, July 22, 2006
There are three factors causing my distress:
First, the biased nature of the SG's deliberations in passing this resolution, and the lack of debate therein.
Second, and related to the first, the apparent bias of some of the SG leaders, and their dismissal of complaints or alternative viewpoints.
Third, the one-sided language of the resolution, containing, as it does, many demonstrable falsehoods.
Regarding the SG's deliberations, according to their own press release, the only "expert" testimony heard was that of Hussein Ibish, of the Arab-American Political Action Committee. Mr. Ibish has a known history of controversy due to, among other things, his anti-American, anti-Israeli, and anti-Semitic views.
The press release states that there was a discussion period, but nowhere does it say that alternate or dissenting opinions were heard, or even sought.
Regarding the SG leadership, it is no secret that Mr. Baydoun, SG president, has gone on record numerous times in the last two years, urging university communities to take anti-Israel action.
Some citations are:
The Michigan Daily, UM, Letter to the Editor, Dec 13, 2004
The State News, MSU, on March 2, 2005
The Michigan Independent Media Center, March 22, 2005
Another SG leader, Senate speaker Bilal Dabaja, also has a public record of anti-Israel, and possibly anti-Semitic, activism:
He has stated that he gets news from Al-Manar, the Hezbollah propaganda organ, Detroit Free Press, March 20, 2005
He publicly defended the Muhammed cartoon rioters, saying, "There is freedom of the press, but there should be limits:" University of Michigan-Dearborn Reporter, Feb 13, 2006
He attended this summer's anti-Israel rally in Dearborn, where he led chants with a bullhorn. At this rally, "Death to Israel," was among the chants shouted: The Arab-American News.com, July 22, 2006
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Ray Ackley
posted 10/18/06 @ 12:19 PM EST
Thank goodness, finally someone has stepped forward with the time and effort to counter the limitless stream of radical propaganda that the SG has become a pedestal for. (Continued…)
smhoward
umd staff
posted 10/18/06 @ 4:37 PM EST
"When we as students do nothing to refute the SG leadership and put them in their palace, we implicitly consent to these radical abominations they continually pass in "our" name. (Continued…)
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