Saturday, May 31, 2014

Robert De Mond Makes Son Walk A Mile Home As Punishment, Court Punishes Father With Fine And Probation

Robert De Mond Makes Son Walk A Mile Home As Punishment, Court Punishes Father With Fine And Probation


The old joke goes that older generations used to walk uphill both ways to school while in the snow. Well, Hawaii is not exactly known for its snow, but one father named Robert De Mond decided to punish his eight-year-old son by making him walk home. But a court says he was wrong to do so, and is charging him with second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor.


In a related report by The Inquisitr, one father decided to punish his rebellious teenage daughter for not cleaning her room by moving her entire bedroom out onto the driveway. Photos of the incident soon went viral and the girl certainly learned her lesson. Unfortunately, when another father decided to punish his daughters for recording a video of themselves twerking, he used a video cable and ended up being arrested for the spanking.


In the case of Hawaii, state laws allow parents to discipline their children with such “old school punishments,” including spanking. The reason the child was punished was because he would not give a straight answer why the school had punished him earlier in the day. This occurred on the drive home, so De Mond pulled over on Kuhio Highway and told his son to walk the rest of the way on the shoulder of the road.


Unfortunately, a stranger spotted the boy crying on the side of the road, called the police, and returned the boy to the school. So when the father realized his son was taking too long, he went back to find him only to realize he was missing. In a panic now, De Mond called the police himself and learned the boy’s location. But that’s when the government intervened, according to De Mond:


“I wasn’t able to see my son. I was put under arrest. All I was trying to do is have my son think about his actions and there was no intention at all that I wanted to harm my son. I just wanted him to walk home and think about what he did by the time he got home.”



The court disagreed, handing down a one year probationary period in addition to a $ 200 fine and parenting classes. The good news is that the father will have his record cleared, assuming there are not any more incidents. Still, De Mond says the case was hard on his family:


“I’m a pretty big figure in the community for multiple sports. For me getting through this and past it was my concern. It’s made me a stronger person, and made me think about being a parent a lot more. It also puts me in a spot. I’m happy to be accountable for my actions if I’m going to preach and tell that to my kids.”



Do you think that forcing an eight-year-old child to walk home a mile is an acceptable form of punishment?



Robert De Mond Makes Son Walk A Mile Home As Punishment, Court Punishes Father With Fine And Probation is a post from: The Inquisitr News



The Inquisitr News » Lifestyle



Robert De Mond Makes Son Walk A Mile Home As Punishment, Court Punishes Father With Fine And Probation

Teacher Scott Allan Pens Erotic Book Starring Two Students, Faces Criminal Charges

Scott Allan, Author And Inappropriate Teacher


Social studies teacher Scott Allan has authored a new book that you probably won’t see turn up on any Barnes & Noble shelves in the near future.


That’s because it’s a piece of erotica that he wrote about two of his female students, authorities say.


The Mandan High School teacher (in Mandan, North Dakota) gave the book to the unnamed 17- and 18-year-old girls as “graduation presents,” reports the website Inforum.


“Police said the characters in the book have the same first names and similar last names as the two students, and in it they engage in sexual acts,” the site stated (and we’re just assuming they do said acts with a high school social studies teacher named “Scotty Allen”).


KMOT adds this little tidbit about the book: it’s a western. (Insert saddles, spurs, chaps, and schoolmarm jokes here.)


As a result of the authorship, Allan was placed on administrative leave May 22 and resigned later that day. He was charged with promoting obscenity to minors and disorderly conduct.


That booking is also what allowed the nifty mugshot you see above. (Go Steelers!)


We’ve heard of teachers doing some stupid and inappropriate things involving their students before. Even covered a lot of it, like this Facebook faux pas, for instance.


There was also the case of Cassandre Fiering, a 45-year-old fourth-grade teacher/actor, who consulted her class for dating advice and actually had them role-play as her while she stepped into the roles of her boyfriends.


(Yeah, I know.)


But this is probably the first time said misbehavior has taken literary form, and since the charges that Allan faces are Class C felonies, he’s graduated to a whole new realm of legal trouble — and he’s dangerously close to the kind of thing that gets your name on a searchable list.


What do you think about the erotic book that Scott Allan wrote for his students — should he face criminal charges for it, or have those charges reduced to misdemeanors?


Share your thoughts in our comments section below.


Teacher Scott Allan Pens Erotic Book Starring Two Students, Faces Criminal Charges is a post from: The Inquisitr News




The Inquisitr News » News



Teacher Scott Allan Pens Erotic Book Starring Two Students, Faces Criminal Charges

The mysteries of JMW Turner's life explored in new Mike Leigh film


THE lyricism of JMW Turner’s paintings reveal nothing about the 19th century artist’s hardscrabble London childhood but a new Mike Leigh film hopes to shed light on this ‘uncouth’ titan of British art
Daily Express :: Films Feed



The mysteries of JMW Turner's life explored in new Mike Leigh film

Xbox Live Gold: Free Games For Xbox One And 360 In June Includes ‘Street Fighter,’ ‘Halo,’ And ‘Dark Souls’

Xbox Live Gold: Free Games For Xbox One And 360 In June Includes 'Street Fighter,' 'Halo,' And 'Dark Souls'


The Xbox Live Gold free games list has been announced for both the Xbox One and Xbox 360. Gamers may be surprised that they will be receiving some fairly big games and not just indie titles (not saying that indie games are bad, mind you).


In a related report by The Inquisitr, Microsoft is dropping the Gold requirement for Xbox One entertainments apps starting June 1. The bad news is that while Microsoft officials continue to insist that Xbox One 1080p, 60FPS performance may improve with the DirectX 12 update, various third party video game developers have gone on record as saying this is highly unlikely to be the case.


The first major notable Xbox One free game will be Halo: Spartan Assault. Although Microsoft has not yet given specific dates, they described what the game will be like:


“[Halo: Spartan Assault is] new chapter within the award-winning “Halo” universe set between “Halo 3″ and “Halo 4.” Join Commander Sarah Palmer and Spartan Davis in training simulations aboard the UNSC Infinity to fight a campaign against Covenant forces, or join in online Co-op battle against the Flood.”



The next Xbox Live Gold free game for the Xbox One also does not have a date announced yet, but the name is an indie title called Max: The Curse of Brotherhood:


“As Max, you’ll need to rescue your little brother from the clutches of a cartoonish villain named Mustacho. Along the way, you’ll solve challenging elemental puzzles and platform your way through the environment with the help of your trusty magic marker.”



The majority of the Xbox Live Gold free games for June are actually for the Xbox 360. Keep in mind that terms differ between the two platforms. While the Xbox 360 free games will stay with your account forever after being downloaded, the Xbox One free games require you to maintain your Xbox One Live Gold membership status.


With that caveat out of the way, the first release on the 360 will be Dark Souls and will only be free between June 1 and 15:


“”Dark Souls,” is perhaps most famous for its difficulty, but it is also, without question, among the greatest and most awe-inspiring games of its generation. Elegant in design, challenging in presentation and more than a little mysterious, “Dark Souls” will take you on a tour de force of what action-role-playing can (and should) be about. If you ever wanted to jump into one of this generation’s most beloved franchises, now’s the perfect time.”



The next release is available from June 16 through the 30th and will net you Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition. Although I’m sure you’re probably familiar with the game, this edition does have some nice extras:


“This upgrade to the original “Street Fighter IV” brings the playable roster up to a whopping 39 characters, and features a decked-out online tournament mode, a team battle mode for up to eight players, and the option to save and share replays of your best (or worst) matches.”



The final title is called Charlie Murder, and is also only available from June 16 through the 30th:


“[Charlie Murder is a] classic, side-scrolling beat-’em-up in which you take on the role of the title character or one of his stalwart band mates, as they try to save the world from an impending zombie apocalypse. And yes, they will also rock out quite a bit at the same time. A cartoon-like aesthetic, non-stop action and a dash of dark humor combine to make “Charlie Murder” fun for solo or up to four-player cooperative head-bashing.”



What do you think about the Xbox Live Gold free games list for June? What free games would you like to see for the Xbox One in the future?


Xbox Live Gold: Free Games For Xbox One And 360 In June Includes ‘Street Fighter,’ ‘Halo,’ And ‘Dark Souls’ is a post from: The Inquisitr News



The Inquisitr News » Gaming



Xbox Live Gold: Free Games For Xbox One And 360 In June Includes ‘Street Fighter,’ ‘Halo,’ And ‘Dark Souls’

Surface Pro 3 Versus iPad Air: Which Tablet Is Right For You?

Surface and iPad


Microsoft’s recently-introduced Surface Pro 3 is billed as a laptop replacement, but we all know it straddles the line between notebook and tablet. So how does the Surface Pro 3 stack up against the best tablet in the biz?


Looking at Microsoft’s new Surface Pro tablet and Apple’s iPad Air, there’s little sense in comparing specs. Neither device is upgradeable, and neither is an absolute powerhouse in terms of processing power. What you’ll find, though, is that both are pretty well optimized to run their operating systems and attendant software. Instead of looking too hard at specs, it’s probably better to take a look at how the two devices stack up in terms of use cases and other factors.


Workaholics


Surface Pro 3 business

The Surface Pro 3 is a great productivity device, if that’s what you’re looking for.



If the thought of an afternoon spent tweaking pivot tables gets you all hot and bothered, you should probably seek help, but you should also probably go with the Surface Pro 3. Microsoft’s new tablet, as we pointed out in our earlier look at the device, will most likely fit right in with your company’s existing IT infrastructure, as it’s really a souped-up PC notebook. That means it will run all of the legacy Windows apps that you already rely on. Adding the Type Cover keyboard attachment makes the Surface Pro 3 into a super-solid productivity device.


Now, to be fair, there is already a wide range of productivity software available on the iPad, including Microsoft’s Office productivity suite. As the iPad grows in popularity, the range of available programs will likely just continue to increase, as will the ease of integrating Apple’s tablet with corporate IT workings. Making an iPad a true productivity machine, though, will require the addition of a keyboard, and you’ll still lack the ports available on the Surface Pro.


Winner: Surface Pro 3


Casual Users


Facebook for iPad

Yeah, we know that you just use your computer to browse Facebook, even though it’s many times more powerful than the computers that put men on the moon. No, we don’t judge you for that. Not much, anyway.



The genius behind Apple’s iPad was that the Cupertino computer maker had finally developed a true “computer for the rest of us.” The iPad is dead simple, to the point that toddlers can operate it. To date, no one has managed to approach the simplicity of the iPad, and that’s why it’s still the perfect device for the casual user.


Don’t get us wrong: the Surface Pro 3 is quite suitable for firing off quick, short emails and browsing the web. Your average user, though, is going to experience a bit of a learning curve when it comes to navigating the Windows 8 operating system that comes with the new Surface Pro.


Plus, the iPad has a wide range of simple apps and games that are just perfect for casual computing. If you mainly use a computer as a Facebook and Inquisitr-browsing machine, the choice isn’t even close.


Winner: iPad Air


Constant Upgraders


If you’re continually looking for new reports on the next big thing in iPhones, Galaxies, or anything tech, you’ve probably come to grips with your conspicuous consumption and regard your current tablet or notebook as a mere stepping stone to the next model. In that case, you’re going to want a device that retains its value as it ages, ensuring that you get good trade-in value toward the purchase of the next tech goodie that still won’t fill the hole in your life.


We took a look around at resale values for used Surface Pro units and iPad Airs, and we were a bit surprised. Apple’s tablets are well known for how well they retain their value, which is a function of sustained demand even for older Apple products as much as their solid build quality. We assumed the Surface Pro would be comparable, considering the solid engineering Microsoft put into its Surface tablets, but we expected older iPads to have higher resale values. Even without the Type Cover attachment, though, older Surface Pro models were sometimes selling for a bit higher than iPads from the same year.


So it looks like, when it comes to reselling your device, you’ll be satisfied either way if you’re picking between the new Surface Pro and an iPad Air. Or, at least, as satisfied as you are capable of being. Existence is suffering, and the cause of suffering is your desire for new gadgets.


Winner: It’s a wash


Gamers


FTL on iPad

FTL is one of the great games available on the iPad, but it’s got its roots on the PC.



When we took our initial look at the five kinds of people who’ll love the Surface Pro 3, we said that Microsoft’s new tablet blows away the competition in terms of gaming. That, of course, came with a caveat: only more dedicated gamers will see a real benefit from going with the Surface Pro 3. For tons of others, though, Apple’s iPad Air will be more than sufficient.


Casual gamers are driving the industry right now, no matter what the hardcore would like to believe. If you don’t want to invest too much in your gaming habit, the iPad is probably the way for you to go. Games like Fruit Ninja and Infinity Sword are probably the perfect sort of time-waster for you. Plus, you’ll sometimes get a ported hardcore game like X-COM here or there, meaning that you’ll be able to claim some cred.


If you’re a member of the Glorious PC Master Race, though, iPad gamers don’t even deserve a haughty scoff from you. We know, the Casuals are ruining everything, but you still want something with a touchscreen. Well, the Surface Pro 3 can help you scratch that gaming itch while on the go. With its Intel processor and ample RAM, you’d be surprised at what games the Pro 3 can run competently. You’re not going to be firing up the new Witcher game on this baby, but you could make your way happily through the real XCOM, and on a touchscreen to boot.


Winner: Another wash; you may be sensing a pattern developing.


Creatives, Marathon Users, and Others


Surface Pro for Artists

With its Surface Pen and specialized apps, the Surface Pro 3 is terrific for creatives. Image via mashable.



There are so many use cases for a portable computer that we don’t have time to explore them all in this article. Artists will find a wide range of touch-enabled apps for the iPad, as will photographers, but both will likely also be swayed by the Surface Pro 3′s full Windows versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, and Lightroom. Plus, the new Surface has a stylus, which is so much better than any similar implementation on the iPad.


If you don’t like being tethered to a power outlet, you might want to go with the iPad Air, as Apple has made its tablet as long-lasting as it is sleek. Smart users, though, will be able to get a full day’s use out of the Surface Pro 3.


It’s so hard to choose, no?


And that’s kind of the point. These two devices have some overlaps, some areas where they just about equal out. There are some areas where the Pro 3 trounces the iPad, and vice versa. In our professional and very learned opinion, you might be best served by going to Best Buy and playing around with both of them for way too long, all the while really thinking hard on what you need a computer for.


Lead image via Phone Arena.


Surface Pro 3 Versus iPad Air: Which Tablet Is Right For You? is a post from: The Inquisitr News




The Inquisitr News » Technology



Surface Pro 3 Versus iPad Air: Which Tablet Is Right For You?

Exclusive: Detectives discover SECRET LAIR of serial killer taxi driver


DETECTIVES fear they have uncovered the secret lair of a serial killer who may have murdered up to six women.
Daily Express :: News Feed



Exclusive: Detectives discover SECRET LAIR of serial killer taxi driver

New Study: ‘Porn-Watching Men Have Less Gray Matter.’ Porn-Watching Men: ‘Huh?’

He fixes the cable.


People forget that the brain is the biggest erogenous zone. And a new study suggests that maybe there’s a connection between porn and the brain makeup of the men that watch it.


The porn-brain study appeared this week in JAMA Psychiatry, and it looked at reported consumption of pornography among participants. The study had as a goal the determination of whether the frequent consumption of pornography is associated with the frontostriatal network, the neural pathways believed to be involved in the selection and perception of important information, as well as the manipulation of working memory and decision making.


The researchers looked at the porn consumption habits of 64 healthy adult males at the Max Planck Insittute for Human Development in Berlin, Germany. They measured the gray matter volume of participants, as well as the functional resting-state connectivity of their brains.


When the researchers compared brain scans among participants, they found “a significant negative association between reported pornography hours per week and gray matter volume.”


Translation: guys that spent more time watching porn had lower gray matter volume.


The researchers hold out the possibility that porn consumption could be causing the lower gray matter volumes among participants. This could be because “pornography consumption bears resemblance with reward-seeking behavior, novelty-seeking behavior, and addictive behavior,” and continual stimulation of that sort causes the brain’s structure to shift.


Of course, correlation does not equal causation, and the researchers admit this in their writeup:


“Alternatively, it could be a precondition that makes pornography consumption more rewarding.”


That is: guys that watch a bunch of porn might just be wired to get more joy out of watching a bunch of porn.


There’s already anecdotal evidence that the pornification of society is damaging relationships. The increased availability of free porn on the internet is also destroying the industry that creates the same content. The notion that porn might actually, truly, really be changing your brain structure is a bit novel, though. We’re still holding off on judgment of the study’s results, though, as we’ve watched our fair share of skin flicks and we feel like we turned out just sex.


New Study: ‘Porn-Watching Men Have Less Gray Matter.’ Porn-Watching Men: ‘Huh?’ is a post from: The Inquisitr News




The Inquisitr News » News



New Study: ‘Porn-Watching Men Have Less Gray Matter.’ Porn-Watching Men: ‘Huh?’

Apostasy In Sudan: Pressure Builds To Prevent Execution

Rosary01


Apostasy is the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief and in Sudan, it can get you killed. On May 15, Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag, a 27-year-old Sudanese woman, was sentenced to death for abandoning Islam by marrying a Christian man, Daniel Wani, despite being raised as in the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian faith. The Sudanese court ruled that because her father was a Muslim, she is also Muslim under the eyes of the law; therefore, she committed apostasy by marrying out of her faith. The ruling has sparked international condemnation.


Since the news broke, a number of governments and officials have spoken out against the sentence, the latest being UK Prime Minister David Cameron. On his Twitter account the Prime Minister wrote:



He is joined by Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg in the UK and Hillary Clinton in the US:



Likewise, the US State Department has described the apostasy case as “horrific.” UK, American, and Canadian embassies in Khartoum have been pressing for Meriam Ibrahim, who has been commonly referred to as apostasy woman on the internet, to be released and US state officials have been attending public hearings and watching the appeals process. Daniel Wani is a US citizen and has urged his own government and the international community to pressure Sudan to drop the archaic apostasy charges. He is also deeply concerned about his 20-month-old son, who is living in prison with his mother.


The married couple have two children together, the youngest of whom was born in Sudanese prison, after the sentencing. The husband and officials report that Meriam Ibrahim and her new-born daughter are healthy. The Sudanese government will defer the death sentence for two years to allow the baby to nurse. However, Ms. Ibrahim faces another penalty — 100 lashes — for “illegitimate sex.”


The court believes that because Sudan will not recognize the cross-religious marriage, Ms. Ibrahim committed adultery.


International organizations have also started pushing the Sudanese government to reverse the apostasy and adultery charges. Amnesty International started a petition to stop the execution that has reached over 200,000 signatures. Amnesty International said, “Meriam has committed no crime. She is a prisoner of conscience and should be released immediately.” Additionally, Change.org has reached over 600,000 signatures in a separate petition.


“I’m standing by her to end,” her husband said.


Daniel Wani has appealed the apostasy charges and hopes his ordeal will come to a swift end.


Apostasy In Sudan: Pressure Builds To Prevent Execution is a post from: The Inquisitr News



The Inquisitr News » World



Apostasy In Sudan: Pressure Builds To Prevent Execution

10-Year-Old Boy Locked In Filthy Bedroom For Two Years, Fed Only Junk Food

10-Year-Old Boy Locked In Filthy Bedroom For Two Years, Fed Only Junk Food


A 10-year-old boy was locked in a filthy bedroom for close to two years and fed nothing but fast food, police in London, Ontario have discovered.


The boy was found in a room covered with urine and feces and littered with fast food containers. The boy’s pajamas and mattress were also covered in urine, police said.


The boy was underweight and malnourished when found, and police say he was only fed once in the morning and again in the evening.


Police have charged the boy’s aunt and uncle, who were his caregivers, with forcible confinement and failing to provide the necessaries of life. The boy was found with another child, a 9-year-old girl, who was in healthy condition. Both are in the care of Children’s Aid Society.


There was little word on what happened to the boy’s parents, though they were reportedly not from Canada.


Despite the horrible conditions, workers say they are happy to have gotten the child out alive.


“There are too few situations in the field of child welfare where we can say we are overcome with joy,” said Jane Fitzgerald, executive director of the Children’s Aid Society for London and Middlesex.


“This week, our community came together in the service of a child, and he and another child are now safe.”


Another child was not so lucky. Austin Davis, a 3-year-old from Colorado, was found dead after police say his mother locked alone inside of a cabin for close to four days. The boy eventually succumbed to dehydration, police said.


Police said that mother Meghan McKeon left her 3-year-old son alone while she went to work and then stayed at a boyfriend’s house.


Police added that McKeon had a history of leaving her son alone for days at a time, often without food, water, or heat. When Austin Davis died, she left him with only a movie playing.


The 10-year-old boy found in filthy conditions in London, Ontario is reportedly doing well now and has been released from a hospital.


10-Year-Old Boy Locked In Filthy Bedroom For Two Years, Fed Only Junk Food is a post from: The Inquisitr News




The Inquisitr News » News



10-Year-Old Boy Locked In Filthy Bedroom For Two Years, Fed Only Junk Food

Meriam Ibrahim Freed: Sudan Woman Sentenced To Death For Marrying Christian Will Go Free

Meriam Ibrahim Freed: Sudan Woman Sentenced To Death For Marrying Christian Will Go Free


Meriam Ibrahim was sentenced to death in her native Sudan for marrying a Christian man, but now after worldwide protests, the woman has reportedly been freed.


Ibrahim was sentenced to be flogged and hanged to death for marrying a Christian man. The woman was eight months pregnant when she was arrested.


The 27-year-old gave birth to a daughter this week while shackled in a jail cell, and became the subject of an international campaign to put pressure on the Sudanese government for her release. British Prime Minister David Cameron condemned the “barbaric” punishment, and US Sen. Kelly Ayotte asked Secretary of State John Kerry to grant Ibrahim political asylum. The US State Department and White House both called on Sudan to uphold human rights standards.


Many celebrities and world figures also joined in the fight to free Meriam Ibrahim.




An Amnesty International petition to stop the execution garnered more than 200,000 signatures, while a separate Change.org petition has 600,000 signatures.


Meriam Ibrahim was raised by a Christian mother and refused to renounce her faith. But a court ruled that because she had a Muslim father, she too belonged to the Muslim faith.


The court ruled that her marriage was annulled and then sentenced to 100 lashes for adultery. Sex outside a “lawful relationship” is illegal in Sudan. For the crime of renouncing Islam, she was sentenced to death by hanging.


Word that Meriam Ibrahim came out on Saturday, though British officials said they were still trying to confirm the reports.


A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We are aware of and urgently seeking clarification from the Sudanese authorities of reports that Meriam Ibrahim, the mother facing the death penalty in Sudan, is to be freed.


“We have been strongly urging the government of the republic of Sudan to do all it can to overturn its decision to sentence her to death.”


There are no further details on exactly when Meriam Ibrahim will be freed, or whether she will seek asylum outside of Sudan.


Meriam Ibrahim Freed: Sudan Woman Sentenced To Death For Marrying Christian Will Go Free is a post from: The Inquisitr News



The Inquisitr News » World



Meriam Ibrahim Freed: Sudan Woman Sentenced To Death For Marrying Christian Will Go Free

Michael Bloomberg Harvard Graduation Speech Slams Ivy League Censorship and Intolerance [Video]

Michael Bloomberg speaks out against political correctness


Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg assailed censorship on college campuses that silences politically conservative ideas and imposes a form of one-sided political indoctrination. Said Bloomberg, “a liberal arts education must not become an education in the art of liberalism.”


His condemnation of liberal intolerance came during the commencement address at the Harvard University graduation.


Slurpy foe Bloomberg, a Democrat turned Republican turned Independent who received an MBA from Harvard in 1966, generally follows the liberal/progressive line and the whole “nanny state” thing himself, particularly on gun control, which makes his pointed remarks even more surprising.


Much has been written about how it is difficult for highly qualified right-leaning scholars to get teaching jobs, let alone tenure, in academia. Some of these disputes have wound up in court. A similar kind of employment discrimination often happens in Hollywood against those in front and behind the camera who have publicly expressed a point of view that differs from the dominant liberal ideology.


Moreover, Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight blog claimed no “clearly aligned Republican political figure” spoke at any of the top 30 universities or top 30 liberal arts colleges in the 2013 and 2014 commencement season. During that same time period, however, 25 Democrats delivered graduation speeches.


According to Bloomberg, contemporary academia is engaging in censorship — a modern-day version of “McCarthyism” — when it denies funding to research that doesn’t conform to a particular political viewpoint. “In the 1950s, the right wing was attempting to repress left-wing ideas. Today, on many college campuses, it is liberals trying to repress conservative ideas even as conservative faculty members are at risk of becoming an endangered species. And that I probably nowhere more true than it is here in the Ivy League.”


Noting that in the 2012 presidential election season, Obama received 96 percent of all campaign contributions made by Ivy League professors and other employees, Bloomberg asserted that “you really have to wonder if students are being exposed to the diversity of views at a university should offer. Diversity of gender, ethnicity and orientation is important. But a university cannot be great if its faculty is politically homogenous… great universities must not become predictably partisan… The role of universities is not to promote an ideology, it is to provide scholars and students with a neutral forum for researching and debating on issues, without tipping the scales in one direction or repressing unpopular views. Requiring scholars and commencement speakers for that matter to conform to certain political standards undermines the whole purpose of a university.”



As noted in the ex-mayor’s speech, Bloomberg’s former police commissioner Ray Kelly was shouted down at Brown University by unruly progressive students when he tried to speak there last October.


Both Condoleezza Rice and Ayaan Hirsi Ali exited planned graduation speeches at Rutgers and Brandeis this month, respectively, when a cohort of leftists protested. In Hirsi’s case, the university withdrew the invitation.


Do you agee with Michael Bloomberg that today’s college campuses lack tolerance and diversity and that conservative and/or libertarian ideas are being censored or squelched?


[image credit: Rubenstein]


Michael Bloomberg Harvard Graduation Speech Slams Ivy League Censorship and Intolerance [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr News




The Inquisitr News » News



Michael Bloomberg Harvard Graduation Speech Slams Ivy League Censorship and Intolerance [Video]