More Fallout from Furman's 'Gang of 200'

On Monday of this week, the group that calls itself 'Conservative Students for a Better Tomorrow' released a letter containing over 500 signatures that criticizes a group of liberal professors and students for protesting President Bush's graduation speech at the school on May 31.

The letter written by the liberals called 'the gang of 200' contains only about 200 signatures.

Those who object to the President's visit have threatened not to attend the graduation ceremony, in spite of the fact that all faculty members at Furman sign a contractual agreement which contains a clause requiring them to attend all graduation ceremonies as part of their duties.

Furman's administration has stated that provision will be made for the gang of 200 by giving them an area under a tent, away from the area where the graduation ceremony will be held so as to minimize any disruption.

The group has not made clear whether or not they will mount a full-fledged protest during the graduation ceremony.

Students and faculty who signed the letter criticizing the gang of 200 have stated that they consider it a major honor to have a sitting U.S. President address their graduating class, and they denounce the gang of 200 for putting politics and publicity-seeking antics ahead of honoring those who are graduating from the prestigious Baptist school.

Conservative Students for a Better Tomorrow wish for their letter to be added to the school's website, along side of the letter written by the gang of 200. Furman officials stated that they would 'consider such a move.'

The question is, what is there to consider? Without hesitation the school allowed a protest letter critical of Bush to be posted on the Furman website by a tiny minority of faculty. So what's the problem with posting a letter containing the opposite point of view, unless Furman's liberal bent prevents them from exercising objectivity?

I think the idea about putting the gang of 200 in a tent, separating them from the graduation ceremony, is great idea, however. The only thing missing is having them wear dunce hats while they entertain themselves under the tent.

For a recent rundown on the events surrounding this controversy, click here to go to the Greenville News (South Carolina) website:
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080519/NEWS04/805190326/1001/NEWS