Desmond Tutu reinvited to College after first being banned by campus prez...

[Tom Joad]

Thanks to Jewish Voice for Peace.
http://www.stthomas.edu/bulletin/news/200741/Wednesday/Dease10_10_07.cfm

UST president says he made wrong decision, invites Tutu to campus

Father Dennis Dease, president of the University of St. Thomas, has asked that the letter below be sent to St. Thomas students, faculty and staff:

Dear members of the St. Thomas community,

One of the strengths of a university is the opportunity that it provides to speak freely and to be open to other points of view on a wide variety of issues. And, I might add, to change our minds.

Therefore, I feel both humbled and proud to extend an invitation to Archbishop Desmond Tutu to speak at the University of St. Thomas.

I have wrestled with what is the right thing to do in this situation, and I have concluded that I made the wrong decision earlier this year not to invite the archbishop. Although well-intentioned, I did not have all of the facts and points of view, but now I do.

PeaceJam International may well choose to keep the alternative arrangements that it has made for its April 2008 conference, but I want the organization and Archbishop Tutu to know that we would be honored to hold the conference at St. Thomas.

In any event, St. Thomas will extend an invitation to Archbishop Tutu to participate in a forum to foster constructive dialogue on the issues that have been raised. I hope he accepts my invitation. The Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas has agreed to serve as a co-sponsor of the forum, and I expect other organizations also to join as co-sponsors.
____________________

While i am glad that Tutu will be invited back, it seems strange that Father Dennis Dease feels that there must be a forum with other opposing viewpoints presented, because Desmond Tutu is critical of Israeli policy. While the forum may be constructive, why must anyone who speaks critically of Israel be required to appear with someone who will challenge their views, while others, no matter how controversial, not have such requirements. The same happened to President Carter.

For background on the controversy, please see
http://www.alternet.org/audits/64314/

and props to Jewish Voice for Peace for leading the campaign to make sure that no one is muzzled in frank discussion of the conflict.
http://jewishvoiceforpeace.org/

See also
http://www.startribune.com/562/story/1474498.html

[cali]

1. Hurray for Father Dease changing his mind, and I hope you'll

follow his example of humility and apologize for your relentless trashing of JCRC of Minnesota in several threads here. As can be seen in what you posted; they're HOSTING Bishop Tutu.

[Tom Joad]

4. When the JCRC gives up its support of war and occupation, i will be glad to do so.

Locally, the JCRC was relentless in its support of Israel's brutal attack on Lebanon last summer.
You are free to support such organizations, but i choose peace over war and violence.

[cali]

6. Too funny. And arrogant as always.

not to mention a sterling example of ugly hypocricy. You go Tom!

[Tom Joad]

7. Cali, this is not about me, but about supporting a movement for peace and justice.

do what you will.

[cali]

8. Sorry, tom.

I don't buy your sincerity. And your refusal to admit you were wrong about JCRC of Minnesota cements all the doubts I have.

[Tom Joad]

5. You are the relentless one, Cali. you really are.

[muntrv]

2. Good. St. Thomas will hear from a real Christian, and not a fraud like ann coulter.

[xchrom]

3. i'm glad the man can be made to feel humiliated.

it's probably the last real feeling he has left.

[struggle4progress]

9. ".. It was not immediately clear whether Tutu would accept the invitation ...

Dease’s decision not to invite Tutu .. led Lucille Clifton, an award-winning poet and Maryland’s poet laureate from 1979 to 1985, to cancel a Wednesday visit to the campus ... Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council .. said Wednesday .. a dialogue with Tutu is .. vital. He said the JCRC will co-sponsor the St. Thomas event ...

Catholic university invites Tutu to speak
St. Thomas president reverses earlier stance on Nobel prize winner
Updated: 2:58 p.m. ET Oct 11, 2007
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21247990/