Take a few minutes to copy and paste the letter below (or better, substitute your own letter) and email it to the following members of the board of trustees.
charlie.shorter@davisbrodyaedas.com; croman@cityhall.nyc.gov; dimartino@att.net; DRHMORALES@msn.com; ffostertolbert@gmail.com;joe@lhota.net; judah.gribetz@bingham.com; kathleen.pesile@mail.cuny.edu; kaympesile@aol.com; peter.pantaleo@dlapiper.com;philip@philipberryassociates.com; provost.cory@gmail.com; sam.sutton@aeny.com; Sandi.Cooper@csi.cuny.edu; vlancaster@mrbeal.com;wellingtonchen@yahoo.com; wellingtonzchen@gmail.com; wiesenfeldjs@bernstein.com; Jay.Hershenson@mail.cuny.edu
Dear CUNY Member of the Board of Trustees
What were you thinking?
Did you really think that allowing an uninformed partisan hardliner deliver an inaccurate rant against Tony Kushner in order to torpedo his honorary degree -- without engaging in a serious discussion and presenting Mr. Kushner’s side -- would redound to your credit?
Do you often like to see CUNY’s name dragged through the mud?
Since when is Zionism a litmus test of a CUNY honorary degree?
May I suggest that you issue a statement of apology to Mr. Kushner. And that you change your decision, regardless of whether he decides to accept the honor or not.
[sign your name here]
Thank you. Great list, great letter.
ReplyDeleteI did contact two board members I know, and got the following from one of them: "In truth – and the record does show – I did not “reneg” on Kushner’s degree. After Weisenfelds unbelievable diatribe/outburst, which none of us expected, I voted to discuss this matter further. Procedurally, we were prevented from that discussion. The chancellor though is very much like out President. Look for a positive resolution." Hopefully he's right.
ReplyDeleteI have sent this page to most of my friends at CUNY. I was a student at a CUNY school once and still have some links there.
ReplyDeleteRe-vote on Monday, or thereabouts. Feels likely that Kushner will be awarded the degree...genertal sentiment in NYC is that Weisenfeld should be tossed off the Board. NY Times article says, in essence, "what an idiot!"
ReplyDeleteI contacted those who voted against Kushner and commended them. Kushner has every right to speak his mind. But why bestow an honor upon a person who falsely proclaims that Israel is guilty of ethnic cleansing?
ReplyDeletethis has nothing to do with Zionism when somebody accuses Israel of ethnic cleansing when they have over 2 million Arab citizens that are committed to their destruction in their country that's a blood libel, mr kushners deserves it and i applaud mr weisenfelds courage to stand up against this extreme liberal mr kushner when singling out Israel for divestment when Israel tried repeatedly to return all the land they won a defensive war that anti semitism .
ReplyDeletethis has nothing to do with Zionism when somebody accuses Israel of ethnic cleansing when they have over 2 million Arab citizens that are committed to their destruction in their country that's a blood libel, mr kushners deserves it and i applaud mr weisenfelds courage to stand up against this extreme liberal mr kushner. when u single out Israel for divestment ,when Israel tried repeatedly to return all the land they won a defensive war, that's anti semitism .the world is full of anti semites that are obsessed with criticizing Israel, we don't need more false accusations against Israel that just causes more anti semitism, god bless mr weisenfelds for standing up against this bigot and liar. I urge the board of trustee to defend mr weisenfelds right to speak out against this bigot.
ReplyDeletemuti feldbrand
uh, actually, israel, there are around 1.5 million Palestinian citizens of Israel, not 2 million
ReplyDeletehttp://www1.cbs.gov.il/www/yarhon/b1_e.htm
Kushner referred to ethnic cleansing at the founding of the state, when Jews became a majority in the area denoted by 49 cease-fire lines by not allowing the majority of the residents of Palestine to return to their homes. The "ethnic cleansing" was partial, not total.
As for your own libel that 2 million Arabs are sworn to its destruction, may I suggest that before you say such things (reminiscent of what the European anti-Semites said about the Jews), you bring evidence that any Palestinian Israelis are sworn to its destruction.
Listen, I don't blame you...you have spent your whole life being brainwashed by Zionist propaganda. As I have always said, until folks like yourself get balanced textbooks, you will never be ready for peace.
Maybe I should tell that to Hillary....