EDITORIAL : DEBATE DEBASED CSUN STUDENT LEADERS MADE A POOR CHOICE BY INVITING DUKE TO DEFEND PROP. 209.FORMER Ku Klux Klan Ku Klux Klan (k  ' klŭks klăn), designation mainly given to two distinct secret societies that played a part in American history, although other less important groups have also used leader David Duke is a Louisiana racist who probably couldn't get himself elected dogcatcher dog·catch·er n. A dog officer. anywhere in California. So why did Cal State Northridge's student government vote 12-11 to pay Duke $4,000 to visit the CSUN CSUN California State University Northridge campus Sept. 25 to debate civil rights activist Joe Hicks (he was offered only $1,000) on Proposition 209, the California Civil Rights Initiative? The answer to that question seems clear. The slim Student Senate majority wanted to stack the deck See To stock cards against Proposition 209 by placing its defense in the hands of someone with no credibility and a rotten reputation. The case against inviting Duke to speak for Proposition 209, which would prohibit discrimination and preferential treatment in state employment, education and contracting, was summed up nicely by Marc Powell, a member of the Student Senate. ``I'm pro-affirmative action, but to be fair to all students, you need to get reputable people who are for affirmative action and reputable people who are against it,'' Powell said. ``With someone like David Duke, people are going to say, `I can't align myself with that guy. He's a racist. He's too radical.' '' The goal of a debate, especially one held on a university campus, should be to encourage intelligent discussion of an issue. If that had been the objective, CSUN's student government could have invited a competent spokesperson from the pro-Proposition 209 campaign. If it had done that - the measure's supporters include Gov. Pete Wilson, state Attorney General Dan Lungren, University of California The University of California has a combined student body of more than 191,000 students, over 1,340,000 living alumni, and a combined systemwide and campus endowment of just over $7.3 billion (8th largest in the United States). Regent Ward Connerly and state Sen. Quentin Kopp, I-South San Francisco - there would be a good chance that the debate might generate more light than heat. But that's not likely to be the case if Duke, a demagogue dem·a·gogue also dem·a·gog n. 1. A leader who obtains power by means of impassioned appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace. 2. A leader of the common people in ancient times. tr.v. and political opportunist, shows up. Duke, rather than Proposition 209, probably will be the center of attention. The Student Senate is free to invite anyone to speak on campus. But that's not the issue. The issue is whether the Student Senate displayed good judgment by agreeing to pay Duke $4,000 to assume the role of a straw man. We feel that Duke is being overpaid o·ver·pay v. o·ver·paid , o·ver·pay·ing, o·ver·pays v.tr. 1. To pay (a party) too much. 2. To pay an amount in excess of (a sum due). v.intr. To pay too much. - and students who would like to hear a reasoned, meaningful debate are being shortchanged. |
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