I wrote about this before. Looks like ASU is just like the rest of them, caves to Political pressure when the heats turned up by the media.
The Politico reports:
Michael M. Crow, president of Arizona State University, tells POLITICO that the school is reconsidering its widely mocked plans not to give President Barack Obama an honorary degree when he speaks at commencement on May 13 and will “honor him in every way possible.”
“There was no intended slight,” Crow said by telephone from his office in Tempe. “We had not yet talked about what honors we might give him as our commencement speaker, and we still have a month to work all that out. We don’t want anyone to think we do not recognize what he has achieved and what he means in America.”
A formal decision has not been made, but it was clear from Crow’s comments that the university is headed in that direction. ASU risked becoming a national punch line if it did not quickly retreat from its policy against conferring honorary degrees on a sitting politician.
At first blush one would expect me to basically call them cowards; however, if you really think about it. I can see their position. Being elected Americas first black President, is a feat unto itself. So, while I can agree with my fellow Conservatives who say that President Barack Obama has no resume, there is something to be said about being elected President and being black. Accuse me of being a turncoat, or a secret liberal if you wish; but history was made in 2008, A black man was elected President, that has never happened in America before. Sean Hannity can rip on the guy all he likes, and I can understand why, He doesn’t like his politics. Admittedly; neither do I, but I am not going to sit here and act like having a black President is not a sea change of the standard in America.
So, while I think sticking to principles is a good and honorable thing, I think in this case, it is better to gave the honorable degree and move on. Rather than to face the onslaught. If people had listened to Senator Barry Goldwater, we could not be in this postion, but we’re stuck with it now. So, might as well just do the right thing.
Others: Hot Air,