Friday, February 16, 2007
Jimmy Carter's debate tour continues...
Eleven faculty members at Emory University have protested a planned appearance by Jimmy Carter discussing his book, “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid,” as they were hoping to stage a debate and Carter, with the acquiesence of the University, has refused. The person the Emory professors had chosed to debate Carter was Dennis Ross, who represented Presidents Bush (Sr.) and Clinton at Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Ross had agreed to appear, and as someone who was actually present during key moments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, would have provided a formidable counterpoint to Carter, more so, perhaps, than attorney Alan Dershowitz, who gave a rebuttal address after being denied a chance to debate Carter at Brandeis University.
And like Brandeis, Emory University, which deserves credit for bringing aboard Salman Rushdie to lecture, and will host his archives, has agreed to allow Carter to speak alone and respond to pre-submitted questions.
Which, you have to admit, is exactly the kind of process you envision when you imagine a work stimulating debate, as Carter intended his book to do.
And like Brandeis, Emory University, which deserves credit for bringing aboard Salman Rushdie to lecture, and will host his archives, has agreed to allow Carter to speak alone and respond to pre-submitted questions.
Which, you have to admit, is exactly the kind of process you envision when you imagine a work stimulating debate, as Carter intended his book to do.
