U of Wash Students Exercise their "rights"

Last week was a typical meeting of the Student Senate at the University of Washington (UW). The students there were exercising their democratic processes that are part of our Republic. “Rights” are pretty important to these students. It was clear as the announcements of functions that deal with “rights” was made later in the session. You know, like the status of gay rights, The Human Rights Film Fest, the ACLU meeting, and of course the availability of tickets to the Vagina Monologues. You can read the minutes of the meeting here.

Incredulously they exercised their “rights” with no knowledge or understanding of where they come from or the price Americans have been paid to protect them. That was clear when they discussed whether the UW should pay tribute to one of its alumni, Colonel “Pappy” Boyington.

It went like this: (I have boldfaced the comments you don't want to miss.)

B. Old Business:

Andrew Everett, sponsor of the legislation, summarized the resolution. He said he wasn’t interested in a large statue, but rather something on a small scale.

Jono Hanks asked why Andrew Everett was interested in honoring this particular alumnus.

Andrew Everett said he had read about Colonel Boyington and thought his achievements warranted recognition.

Tyler Dockins asked why the monument shouldn’t commemorate all the alumni who fought in the war.

Andrew Everett noted that several statues around campus already serve such a purpose and that Colonel Boyington had many of the qualities the University of Washington hoped to produce in its students.

Jill Edwards questioned whether it was appropriate to honor a person who killed other people. She said she didn’t believe a member of the Marine Corps was an example of the sort of person UW wanted to produce.

Ashley Miller commented that many monuments at UW already commemorate rich white men.

Karl Smith amended the first ‘whereas’ clause to strike the section “he was credited with destroying 26 enemy aircraft, tying the record for most aircraft destroyed by a pilot in American Uniform for which he was” and leaving the reference to the Navy Cross. He said the resolution should commend Colonel Boyington’s service, not his killing of others.

Andrew Everett said a destroyed aircraft was not necessarily indicative that a pilot had died. He said the statistic on aircraft downed explained Colonel Boyington’s achievements and why his performance was noteworthy.

Deidre Lockman said she was in favor of the resolution and approved of Karl Smith’s amendment.

Shawn Fisher moved to amend the second ‘that’ clause and strike the deadline of 11 January 2008. He said he was against the resolution, but that if it did pass, he wanted the statue to be of a high quality and said the project shouldn’t be rushed.

Mikhail Smirnoff noted the resolution didn’t require the statue to be finished, but merely have the process started by that time.

Melissa Aar said she was against the amendment because of the significance of the date.

Shawn Fisher moved to close debate. Seconded. Passed without objection. Debate was closed. The amendment failed.

Mikhail Smirnoff said he supported the resolution. He said the resolution does not support a final product, but that it only supports the concept of the monument. He said he understood the sentiment of not wanting to reward those who fought in the war, but that he thought those who fought in WWII were heros and that it was a much different war than the controversial war in Iraq.

Division was called on the resolution. The vote was tied 45-45-10

Alex Kim noted that in the case of a tie, the Senate Chair cast the tiebreaking vote.

Alex Kim voted nay. The resolution failed

Today, a new resolution was submitted to the UW Senate. It is titled: Edwards Apology

Here is what it says:

WHEREAS Student Senator Jill Edwards offended all members of the United States Marine Corps, past or present, dead or alive; especially those who were, are, or will be students at the University of Washington with her comment that she "didn't believe a member of the Marine Corps was an example of the sort of person UW wanted to produce." This commented brought shame and dishonor to not only the UW Student Senate, but also the University as a whole, all its members who have served in the Marine Corps and all Marines past and present.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON:
THAT

Student Senator Jill Edwards will submit, in writing, a signed apology letter seeking forgiveness to all students, staff, and alumni who are now or ever have served in the United States Marine Corps. In said letter it will contain a formal apology and a recognition that her very rights and freedoms are guaranteed by such members of the armed services, to include the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, past or present, living or dead. Additionally, said letter will be printed in all its form and substance in that day's edition of the UW Daily newspaper as well as being recited on the UW Radio station. To realize her mistake, she must acquaint herself with the history of the person she is so keen to dismiss, by reading Col. Boyington's book, Baa, Baa, Black Sheep. All of these requirements are mandatory, under pain of losing her seat on the Student Senate.

History of Legislation
02/15/2006: Submitted for consideration

Of course the resolution will fail. Students with no knowledge of history, or appreciation of the sacrifices made for them, will be unable to see what they do. It is indictment of both our educational system, and perhaps a warning of what lies ahead for our Republic.

In 1775 Thomas Jefferson wrote in " Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking up Arms," this:

Honor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us. We cannot endure the infamy and guilt of resigning succeeding generations to that wretchedness which inevitably awaits them if we basely entail hereditary bondage on them.

It was something Pappy Boyington understood, as have all soldiers. It is something that effete intellectuals and the student at the University of Washington seem unable to grasp.

Update - Michelle Malkin has a take on this story too, but misses the real impact of this story, but the other bloggers she references, don't.

Update II - The Jump Blog has an interesting link to Jill Edwards Flikr account and her email. Despite how wrong she is in what she has said and how much I disagree with her sentiments, I also recognize she is a typical rich kid who travels in her own surreal reality. Nevertheless, free speech is a two way street and I respect her right to be wrong, and to say something incredibly stupid. So should anyone who plans to use the contact information. There is no reason to prove that those who disagree with her asinine comments can be as ignorant as she is. Think about it before you pull that trigger on the email to her.