Bush Library Coverage

[Water Pony]

Bush Library Front Page in Sunday Chicago Tribune, April 8th:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nati ... 7124.story

Looks like the media attention is broadly reported. And the outcome appears a forgone conclusion.

[NavyCrimson]

SPLIT THE FACULTY - sure - right???!!!

from what i see it's only 25% of the wackos that are making a fool of themselves -

onward with the library!!!

[PonyTales]

Surely more than 25 percent oppose the stupid bookmobile.
There just aren't enough Crayons to go around when it comes time to color in the really tricky drawings.

[EastStang]

I can't wait for the final decision to be made and it announced as a fait accompli. Historians will flock to the library to find out what really happened in this White House. Great minds will come to the think tank to exchange and debate ideas. Policy makers will come to SMU and give speeches at the library and hold symposia. Parents will drag their teenage sons to the Library and while walking past Doak Walker Plaza and past the pool at the Dedman Sports Center and seeing the hot coeds working on their tans, the sons will say, "Mom and Dad, I know UT offered me a football scholarship, but so has SMU, can I come here instead?" That's why we want to have the "stupid bookmobile". A Presidential library brings tourists. And tourists bring prospective students. Get it?

[SMU Football Blog]

BTW, the Vodicka lawsuit was sent back to state court.

[Water Pony]

The opportunity to debate the Bush's presidency, his decisions and the real challenges facing the American people and the world is worthy of a forum, whether you agree, disagree or trying to simply understand the compexities of all issues.

Perhaps it is currently viewed as a polarizing institution. Perhaps the left can't imagine that a rational debate is possible, given their enmity toward him. Perhaps the right, wants a stage to justify any and all decisions.

For me, SMU and Dallas can only gain, when free debate and access to research material whichl will permit current and future generations to achieve greater understanding that we collectively did.

Stanford has not been hurt by the Hoover Institute. Further, there will be a Presidential Library in any case. Why not increase it's accessibilty by placing it in a major metropolitian area, adjacent to a fine university?

The challenges to the site are worthy of debate, but moving it to Waco, Irving, Lubbock, etc. doesn't change the reason or need to have it built. Why SMU? Why not. Fear of a library and a think tank is not consistent with either free speech or confidence in your own position.

Imagine a more nationally recognized SMU, located in a beautiful part of Dallas with ambitions to enhance its role in serving its students, community, the nation and, perhaps after years of what will be a continuing debate, a world which will learn about the mistakes made by this president, his opposition, UN, radical Islamist, western world and the broader Muslim faith.

What a great opportunity. Carpe diem.

[PonyKai]

It's tough to remember the rational, intelligent points you just made when you live on campus and get the opportunity to read the Daily Campus.

[Nacho]

I think I have read that Stanford turned down the Regean Library/Institute.

I want SMU to get the Bush Library so that Baylor doesn't get it even though it is a better fit there. That said, it is definitely coming to SMU. I can deal with it.

[PonyKai]

Just wondering Nacho, why do you feel it would be a better fit in Waco?

[smu diamond m]

It's tough to remember the rational, intelligent points you just made when you live on campus and get the opportunity to read the Daily Campus.

Hah, that's what you get for reading more than the puzzles in the Daily Ruckus.

[PonyKai]

It's tough to remember the rational, intelligent points you just made when you live on campus and get the opportunity to read the Daily Campus.

Hah, that's what you get for reading more than the puzzles in the Daily Ruckus.

I thought they were the number one source for coverage on SMU Athletics and for first class opinion articles?

[jtstang]

Great minds will come to the think tank to exchange and debate ideas.

Actually the "think tank" is going to be more likely a partisan Dubya image polishing tank. That's the main objection of those who voice opposition as I understand it. I think it would be more palatable if it was to be run by SMU, but that's not happening apparently.

[Nacho]

I hate to answer but I am respectful of all SMU posters and try to answer all my fan mail.

Baylor is much more in tune with Bush and his supporters. Although both schools are owned by protestant churches the Baptists run Baylor. At SMU the school is run without Methodist interference. As a result the school is open to scientific freedom and differing opinions. Baylor is run along the dictates of hard-core right-wing conservatives which permeates everything from code of conduct to curriculum and class content. Since Bush and his base are evangelicals they fit in much better at Baylor even though Bush calls himself a Methodist.

As a former member of the Baptist church and now a member of the Methodist church I feel somewhat knowledgeable about the differences. The Baptists are heavily influenced by the devil and hell. If you have ever been to a Baptist sermon you walk out knowing that surely the devil is behind all your misdeeds and you are no doubt headed straight to hell. The Methodists on the other hand are quite liberal by contrast. I can't remember the last time I heard either the devil or hell mentioned in a Methodist sermon. In fact I'm not sure the Methodists even believe in the devil. The two churches are about as different as night and day. Some Methodists are under the misguided notion that the Methodist church is a conservative organization. Some alumni and students of SMU may want to believe this but the actions of the Perkins professors are along the teachings of the Methodist church.

For the reasons stated above I believe that Baylor is a better fit for the Bush library. The conservative think tank does bother me. It may fit what most SMU alumni and students want but it is not congruent with Methodist theology. SMU as a hands off institution is caught between a rock and a hard place. If they oppose it they are seen as intolerant and biased and if they approve it they are seen as going against the own religious beliefs. They can't win this argument.

I don't know if that helped. I still don't want Baylor to get it.

[expony18]

Baylor Sucks...

[PonyKai]

Inquiring minds wanted to know.