Northwestern University withdraws Jeremiah Wright's honorary degree
The awful would-be pastor, who may or may not still be friends with Barack Obama, has had his degree revoked by the president of his university (Hat tip: Ironic Surrealism):
Northwestern University President Henry Bienen has rescinded the university's offer to bestow an honorary doctorate of sacred theology on Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., whose fiery comments on race and America have caused trouble for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.They've done the right thing, and I'm glad for that. But whatever they say here, Obama is still a very bad candidate for president, and should not be voted for.
In a letter to Wright, the senator's longtime pastor, Bienen wrote in March that he decided to withdraw the degree because the controversy about Wright could disrupt graduation ceremonies.
"In light of the controversy surrounding statements made by you that have recently been publicized, the celebratory character of Northwestern's commencement would be affected by our conferring of this honorary degree," Bienen wrote.
It appears to be the first time Northwestern has rescinded an honorary degree offer, though the school keeps no such records, spokesman Alan Cubbage said. Withdrawing such an offer would be rare for any university. Wright was not scheduled to speak at the June ceremony, and Cubbage declined to name the other intended honorary degree recipients.
Labels: anti-americanism, anti-semitism, racism, United States
