[whataretheysaying] Mary Madigan: Columbia's trite pantomime of sympathy

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Posted by Mary Madigan:
Columbia's trite pantomime of sympathy
http://whataretheysaying.powerblogs.com/posts/1160624638.shtml


   Like many other Manhattanites, Jerseyans, Pennsylvanians and others
   from far flung places I was hoping to hear [1]Walid Shoebat talk at
   Columbia University this evening. Like many others, I had reserved a
   seat, and I received many confirmations of my reservation. [2]Despite
   this messy altercation at Columbia last week, I was anxious to attend
   this controversial talk - Walid Shoebat, Hilmar Von Kampe and Zak
   Anani (two former terrorists and a former Nazi) were scheduled to
   speak.

   As I left my home in New Jersey, walking through the pouring rain, my
   computer upstairs quietly received this email from Columbia
   administrators cancelling my reservation and (unbeknownst to me)
   leaving me out in the cold.

     It is the decision of the advising office to Student Governing
     Board groups that at tonightâs event sponsored by the Columbia
     College Republicans, hosts to the Walid Shoebat Foundation,
     attendance will be limited to the invited speakers and their staff,
     CUID holders, and 20 invited guests. You are receiving this email
     to inform you that unfortunately, your RSVP to tonightâs event
     cannot be accepted.

     Sincerely,

     Jewelnel Davis
     University Chaplain
     Associate Provost
     Director of the Earl Hall Center

   I don't know why a Chaplain was asked to send this out. I'll bet
   Columbia's bold and brave administrators saw a great opportunity to
   hide behind a Chaplain's skirts.

   Since I had no idea that my reservation was cancelled, I trudged
   through the rain, sat on many crowded subways, and (an hour later) got
   to Columbia early and called [3]Judith to see where everyone was. She
   had also been planning to go, but her trip was shorter, so she was
   home when her disinvitation arrived.

   I tried to play on the Columbia admin's sympathy with my soaking
   confirmation, as did most of the rain drenched invitees. Columbia
   didn't give a shit.

   They locked their glass doors and smiled as people outside raged and
   complained. I didn't complain, but I did take pictures of them, which
   annoyed them to no end. Good.

   [4]columbia rep 
   The Columbia reps told me not to take their picture, but security
   didn't back them up. Here, security stepped out of the way so I could
   get a better shot.

   [5]antoher 
   Another invitee turned away.

   [6]soakingwet 
   ..and we were all soaking wet.

   [EMBED]
   Here's a film of a Columbia representative pantomiming sympathy to a
   group of people who were apparently friends of Walid Shoebat. Although
   the she could have opened the door and talked directly to them at any
   thime, she chose instead to do this odd mime routine. Her audience was
   not impressed. Note the her hostile little wave to the camera, and her
   smile as Shoebat's disappointed friends leave.

   [7]rude mime speaks 
   Later the mime lady came out and spoke. She explained that the
   students, the College Republicans, were to blame for the mixup. That's
   not the story that Ms. Davis' email tells.

   Columbia is a college, and the administrators are supposed to protect
   and guide the students. Instead, they used the students as scapegoats.
   Once again, her audience was not impressed.

   So, after about an hour we got tired of standing in the rain and took
   a subway back downtown. I stopped by Judith's place to pick up a
   sifter I'd lent to her and [8]found her blogging up a storm. She gave
   me a huge cup of tea (thanks, Judith!) and I added a [9]few
   observations.

References

   1. http://www.2xtn.com/
   2. http://news.yahoo.com/s/realclearpolitics/20061010/cm_rcp/columbia_students_represent_wo
   3. http://www.keshertalk.com/archives/2006/10/avoiding_politi.php
   4. file://localhost/files/whataretheysaying-turnedaway.jpg
   5. file://localhost/files/whataretheysaying-anotherturnedaway.jpg
   6. file://localhost/files/whataretheysaying-turnedaway3.jpg
   7. file://localhost/files/whataretheysaying-turnedaway2.jpg
   8. http://www.keshertalk.com/
   9. http://www.keshertalk.com/archives/2006/10/columbiashoebat.php