May 16, 2023
“It is a society where strident hysteria drowns out truth, and where polices are based on strong nonsense loudly shouted.” Professor Julian Simon, Economist, U. of Maryland
This week’s award goes to Minouche Shafik, President of Columbia University.
Shafik was born in Egypt to Muslim parents who were educators. This August she will be 62 years old. She has advanced degrees in economics from U. Mass, London School of Economics, and Cambridge.
In July of 2023, Shafik she was appointed President of Columbia University. Columbia has about 30,000 students and tuition is $84,000 per year.
Last October, Columbia erupted with student protests and riots regarding the Hamas attack in Israel. For months students were allowed to establish encampments on campus, disrupt classes, take over buildings, threaten Jewish students, and university workers, and carry signs supporting the terrorist group Hamas.
In November, Shafik was asked to testify before a Congressional Committe on anti-semantic activities, she declined.
Finally, after 7 months of on-campus disruptions, Shafik ordered in the NYPD to “clear” the encampments, 100 students were arrested.
Classes at Columbia University were converted to on-line, due to student safety concerns. At the commencement address this month for the College of Public Health, the student speaker, Sahim David Ahmed Ali condemned the university and the Israeli response to the Hamas attack. Graduation officials silenced her mic.
Also, this month, the College of Arts and Sciences faculty voted in favor (65%) of a resolution of “No Confidence” in President Shafik.
Shafik has completely mishandled the student protests/riots on campus. Free speech ends where the rights of others begin.
High Truths and Low Lies 