The News Comes Home
The Ontario arm of the Canadian Union of Public Employees announced yesterday it would propose, in a meeting next month, “a ban on Israeli academics doing speaking, teaching or research work at Ontario universities,” if they do not explicitly condemn Israeli action in Gaza.
Let me see if I understand that.
CUPE, in their support of "the Palestinian cause," would ban Israeli academics.
The headline in yesterday's Globe said this:
Proposed ban on Israeli academics sparks bitter debate
How can you debate when you are rendered speechless?
You can read the article yourself and then perhaps you could tell me what country am I living in?
5 comments:
Let's ban CUPE from speaking!
Better yet, let's not ban anyone from speaking and let's bring CUPE into the 21st Century where most people understand the horrors of censorship.
I am HEU (part of CUPE) and I assure you that, if this was brought to vote on the convention floor - I would be speaking against it. There have been academics that I agree with, there have been acedamics I DON'T agree with - that's the point in an institution of higher learning!!
I think that unions need to stick to protection of their working members and political issues that affect the lives of working people (i.e. raising the minimum wage, a National Child Care Plan and affordable education to name a few).
Linda Yuill,
David:
I concur. This CUPE nutbar is way off base.
For a little more background, and a wonderful video that shows an honest way forward, take a look at Terry Glavin's post from yesterday (sorry, not a permalink) titled 'Sid Ryan is an embarrassment'.
http://www.transmontanus.blogspot.com/
Cheers.
Your last question about what country we're living in is very prescient, David. Here's something that happened in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on January 30th.
Can anyone honestly say that they would be surprised if this were to happen in Vancouver or Toronto anytime soon?
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