The state of Utah is once again at the center of another passionate
free speech war. Vice President Dick Cheney has been confirmed to speak
at Brigham Young University's commencement on April 26th. Brigham Young
University (BYU) is owned and run by The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints (the Mormons), and it was the top leaders of the church (including "the prophet", Gordon Hinckley) that wrote the letter
of invitation to the Republican Vice President.
BYU Spokesperson Carri Jenkins says, "We are honored to have the Vice
President be with us at the April commencement."
You would think that inviting one of the nation's most conservative
leaders to one of the most conservative universities located in one of
the most conservative states in the union would be a slam dunk success.
Think again...
Hundreds of upset BYU students, professors and alumni are signing a
petition in an attempt to convince BYU's administration to cancel the
Cheney speech and invite someone else.
In their own words:
- "As someone who's been heavily involved and advocated for thingslike torturing prisoners, and what-not, I just feel like that doesn'tcoincide with a Christian university." - BYU student Eric Bybee
- "In our estimation, Vice President Cheney does not embody theideals taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.Inviting Cheney ... violates long-standing LDS Church and BYU policiesregarding political neutrality and sanctions the actions of a prominentpolitical figure who demonstrates questionable ethics," -Portion of aletter written by four BYU professors
- "If Cheney's visit comes to pass, I will withdraw my support toBYU. I will not make any more donations, purchase another sweatshirt orattend another of its sporting events." -Katie Hatch in American Fork,Utah
Wow. This sure sounds familiar. Why you ask? A brief history:
During the heated 2004 presidential election season, Utah Valley State
College (a slightly more liberal college about 7 miles from BYU)
invited Fahrenheit 9/11 director Michael Moore to speak on campus. UVSC
resides in the town of Orem, which had been officially named, by city
councilmen, "Family City, USA". A predominately Republican town with
strong Mormon roots, residents were foaming at the mouth about Michael
Moore's approaching speech. They claimed he was "the devil" and "would
corrupt the children" or, even worse, that would "destroy us all". A
social and political firestorm descended upon UVSC with petitions,
lawsuits, bribery attempts, and even death threats towards the student
government officers responsible for inviting Moore. At one point during
the me lee, it was asked if they should wear bullet-proof vests for
safety.
Arguments over free speech were shouted up and down the hallways of the
college. Conservatives claimed that Michael Moore did not "represent
the family values" of the community and thus shouldn't be allowed to
speak. Liberals claimed that since they were the minority voice in
Utah, a spokesperson representing their views should be welcomed with
open arms. In retaliation, Republican donors to the college pulled over
$200,000 in donations. One even offered the administration $25,000 to
cancel the Moore speech.
In the end, despite all this, Michael Moore came and spoke at UVSC. But
not before Utah conservatives invited FOX News' Sean Hannity to speak
the week before Moore to "balance" the debate. (As if there exists only
two points of view in this complicated world).
And then it was all over. We made a movie about it, THIS DIVIDED STATE.
It's an observational documentary that shows what happens when civil
discourse fails and name-calling and ad hominem attacks prevail...
division and hatred.
And here we go again.
But now the tables are turned. It is now a conservative speaker who is
getting the ire of those opposed to his ideology. And many of the
Cheney opponents are reacting the same way as the Moore opponents,
claiming "he doesn't represent our religion", "he doesn't represent
family values", or "he is pure evil". Republicans and conservatives, on
the other hand, are fighting for Cheney's right to speak.
- Marian Monnahan, chairwoman of the Utah County Republican Party, doesnot see a problem with Cheney speaking at BYU. "I think it'swonderful," she said. "I don't know what the problem is. ...Republicans in this county are still with President Bush."
- "I'm fine with Dick Cheney coming," says BYU student Brad Royal,"I'm a Republican and I support, usually, President Bush and what he'sdoing right now."
- David Laffen, chairman of BYU's College Republicans, said that hewas "excited about the vice president of the United States coming toBYU. Cheney's visit is good because it is sparking debate and dialogue,as well as encouraging people to become involved. Whether you agree ornot, you should be excited."
I couldn't agree more with Mr. Laffen. Cheney's visit is good because
it is sparking debate and protest at a highly conservative university
that has a history of suppressing free speech and endorsing prejudice
toward minorities. It is a great opportunity for those who oppose the
war in Iraq, who oppose torture, who oppose corruption and greed, and
who oppose what the Bush Administration has done to tarnish the ideals
of the American Way, to stand up and march in protest against BYU and
the Vice President.
But don't cancel his speech. Yes, let him speak. All those Utahns who
fought to get Michael Moore into Utah and now want Dick Cheney silenced
should step back and re-evaluate. It is in our system of democracy to
provide forums of free speech, especially for our elected leaders.
Some will argue that it is "inappropriate" for Cheney to speak at BYU's
Graduation Ceremony because he "doesn't represent" the student body. I
spoke to a BYU student today who said, "If this was a mid-semester
speech where one could make the choice to go or not, then fine. But
this is graduation. I paid tuition for 4 years and worked my butt off.
I want to go and enjoy it. I don't want to sit through Dick Cheney's
rhetoric."
I guess that's a good point, but boo-hoo. BYU makes every student sign
a strict "honor code" document before admittance can be delivered. All
the rules and ideology of the school are right there and students sign
on the dotted line. So BYU students know exactly what they're getting
into. It's like a Berkeley student freaking out because Al Franken was
invited to come speak at graduation. So, BYU students and professors,
go ahead and pass around the petition and fight your damnedest, but the
fact of the matter is that the Mormon First Presidency, who claim to
personally talk to God every day, invited Cheney. They're not going to
back down.
I'm not saying, "don't try", because it's your American right to do so.
I'm just saying, welcome him to Utah, voice your idealogical dissent,
and then protest the hell out of his speech. Imagine the headlines,
"Conservative Utah Sees Mass of Dissent Against Cheney". So get out
your Sharpies and make up those "Impeach Him" signs. And I'll be right
there with you. My sign will say, "Surprise, Surprise. Another Dick At
BYU". Because you can't have a Cheney protest without a "Dick" joke.
That's the real American Way.