Should the U of Minnesota give Al Gore an honorary doctorate?

[goodhue]

this poll needs your help . . .

http://www.startribune.com/10142/story/1018061.html

Instant poll: Should the U of M give Al Gore an honorary doctorate?

University President Robert Bruininks said recently that two of the colleges were working to award a degree to the former vice president.

Yes. He's done important work to save the environment

No. He's a master of junk science

Don't know

[Richard Steele]

1. This one is being FReeped, folks-73% say Gore is pushing "junk science". Let's DU it!

[saltpoint]

2. Sure. Gore's contribution exceeds anything a certain un-elected

incumbent as made to our national life and global community.

And it wouldn't be a bad thing at all for the University there to invite President Gore to speak on campus. Young folks need to hear our best older folks and President Gore's been around a few blocks several times and could be of genuine inspiration to 20-year olds.

[Buzz Clik]

3. Gotta love the phrasing.

Let's hope U of Minn does their own thing.

[helderheid]

4. Needs major DU love

[goodhue]

5. Here is link to related story . . .

http://www.startribune.com/1592/story/1017347.html

[BlooInBloo]

6. If they want to.

[goodhue]

9. well, it appears they want to, but now have gone mum

Thanks to Drudge

http://www.startribune.com/1592/story/1017347.html

The University of Minnesota has gone mum on the possibility of awarding former Vice President Al Gore an honorary doctorate, but that hasn't stopped folks in the blogosphere from starting a virtual free-for-all over the news.

When the Drudge Report website published a link Tuesday to a Minnesota Daily story about the possible honorary degree, the piece in the U's student newspaper got 58,000 hits from readers in two days. An average story in the Daily gets about 300 hits, said Editor-in-Chief Anna Weggel.

* * *

The hullabaloo began after U of M President Robert Bruininks mused Feb. 9 about the future of Northrop Auditorium at a Board of Regents meeting.

Regents were talking about how important Northrop, a popular site for speeches, is as the heart of campus.

"I just learned that ... two of our colleges are working with Vice President Gore and his staff to provide, we hope, an honorary doctorate to him," Bruininks said. "He may come and visit and receive his honorary doctorate, and wouldn't it be really nice if we filled Northrop to hear from him."

The Daily's story appeared 10 days later.

U officials have since downplayed and declined to elaborate on Bruininks' comments, saying that the U has a policy of strict confidentiality on who is being considered for honorary degrees. "I'm not able to comment on who is under consideration," said spokesman Dan Wolter.

* * *

[InvisibleTouch]

7. Now that's insane!

No, not the concept - the fact that the poll stands at 27% Yes, 72% No. "Junk science," indeed!

[peacetalksforall]

8. There is a rabid group (of lawyers?) who are obsessed with

promoting Bush and the right wing agenda and they are based in Minneapolis. Powerline? They often get on national corporate 'entertaining news' shows. Wouldn't surprise me if they spread the word to freeper types.

Using the phrase 'junk science' is horrible - might as well call the scientists 'junk scientists'.

[goodhue]

10. Indeed

John Hinderaker, Scott Johnson et al. Their influence is only outmatched by their egos.

[sinkingfeeling]

11. OMG, I thought Minnesota was more enlightened? What happened after I moved out in 1989?

[goodhue]

12. Minnesota is still pretty enlightened

It is the right wing blogosphere which has asserted undue influence in this case . . .

http://www.startribune.com/1592/story/1017347.html

The story has since been picked up by bloggers and websites taking both conservative and liberal viewpoints. Conservative sites New England Republican and Say Anything were disgusted, with the latter calling the possible award "an honorary degree for junk science."

[hfojvt]

15. enlightened? Three words

Governor Jesse Ventura.

[peacetalksforall]

20. I've heard through friends that there are some people trying to make the U of MN

right leaning - very right leaning. Makes me wonder if this is a nationwide movement
that I haven't kept up with? Makes sense for the right wing - they want education, teachers, courts, judges, local civic leaders, - the entire country doing their Christian and people control bidding.

[hfojvt]

13. As far as I am concerned, if they do so

it honors them more than it honors Gore.

I have a BA degree from the U of Mn and other than getting me into graduate school, it is not worth alot on the open market. Note to Al - hold out for the University of Wisconsin.

[onecent]

14. Done. K and R.

[Bake]

16. This should never have gotten out in advance of the award

It just gives the morans the opportunity to talk about "junk science." As if they'd know SCIENCE if it jumped up and bit them in the ass.

Bake

[Solo_in_MD]

17. No. I oppose all honorary degrees

[RC Quake]

26. Me Too.

Honorary Doctorates are an affront to the highly intellectual individuals that do the research while scraping by on loans and (insufficient) grants to achieve what many cannot.

[goodhue]

18. Down to 70% junk science, so more work to do

DUers need to help out

http://www.startribune.com/10142/story/1018061.html

[KansDem]

19. Why not? Bush got one...

And he's a master of just junk...

[prairierose]

21. This poll is badly freeped...

69% No when I voted.

[mzmolly]

22. YES! Please vote DU-ers.

Who the hell thinks global warming is "junk science" how absurd.

[goodhue]

23. Down to 68% junk science, still a ways to go . . .

[goodhue]

24. now down to 64% saying junk science

[Robeysays]

25. come on guys

it's almost even

[ShortnFiery]

28. Exactly! Counter balance some right wing troll forum's ongoing OP plan. n/t

[SoCalDem]

27. So Universities decide on honorary degrees based on polls now?

I disagree with the whole idea of "honorary" degrees to start with.

Either you EARN it like everyone else who has a degree, or it's nothing.. Like being an "honorary" Mom.

Give people placques, or certificates of appreciation..name a building after them..but no honorary degrees, please !

[ShortnFiery]

29. Bless Al Gore and kindly grant him The Degree!

I earned both my M.S. and B.S. degrees. However, I do NOT begrudge anyone who has provided a profound serve in the appropriate field(s).

I think Al Gore is worthy. :applause: :thumbsup:

[goodhue]

30. 61% junk science--still a ways to go . . .

http://www.startribune.com/10142/story/1018061.html

[goodhue]

31. 61% it is

apparently

[JNelson6563]

32. That's been way freep'd!

We need to DU this poll seriesly!11!