Duke Alumnus Blasts Duke Occupiers

The March/April issue of Duke magazine carries a letter on the Forum page signed by Carol W. Waldenburg, M.Div. ’98, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Ms. Waldenburg takes issue with Duke students who participated in an Occupy event, as profiled by the magazine in its November/December 2011 issue.

The text of the letter is below. I’m posting it because I am always frustrated by college students who fail to understand the contributions of the so-called “rich” to society, and the wondrous nature of the free market and the role it plays in lifting millions out of poverty. They should know better than to fall for the Occupy  whine about big, bad business and the big, bad rich.

I am very concerned for, confused by, and angry with the students (few, though they were) who took part in “Duke Occupied” [Gazette, November-December 2011]. How is it that they are at one of the best educational institutions in the world, with the opportunity to travel their own country and the world to study, and are protesting the wealth gap in the U.S.? If they are truly concerned about such a thing, why are they wasting their parents’ money or scholarship privileges living in such a manner? 

This makes a mockery of the true Occupiers and is a waste of Duke’s time as a university that has the mission of educating those who accept enrollment. If [they] cannot find, or have not found, where substantive conversation and debate exists on campus about any topic, then they have failed Duke.

Buyer’s remorse for the Charlotte decision?

When the Democratic National Committee chose Charlotte as the site for its national convention, it seemed like a good idea at the time. It’s a beautiful state with good weather in September. Obama had carried the state in 2008. The local Dems seemed to have it together. Well, Democrats are learning that a lot can change in a few short months:

Simply put: North Carolina looks like a mess for Democrats.

The state’s Democratic governor, Beverly Perdue, is so unpopular — her job approval has been fluctuating from 30 percent to 40 percent for months — that she wisely decided not to seek re-election this year. A recent survey by Public Policy Polling, a Raleigh-based Democratic polling firm, showed only 60 percent of Democrats approve of the job the governor is doing. …

But it gets worse.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, North Carolina’s preliminary unemployment rate for March stood at 9.7 percent, lower than only three states (California, Rhode Island and Nevada) and the District of Columbia. Apparently, the Obama administration’s jobs recovery has not shifted into high gear in the Tar Heel State.

Of course, if the state’s economy is a mess, it’s still in better shape than the North Carolina Democratic Party.

Two weeks ago, the state party’s executive director, Jay Parmley, resigned amid accusations of sexual harassment. North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman David Parker, who accepted Parmley’s resignation but seemed to defend him, has also come under fire. Some Democratic activists are now demanding his resignation.

Finally, the president will accept his party’s nomination — and presumably beat up on corporate America and the wealthy — at Bank of America Stadium (after a couple of days at Time Warner Cable Arena). Expect the press to point out the irony, which could put President Barack Obama’s campaign on the defensive more than a few times.

Interesting Ideas For The UNC System

Jane Shaw of the Pope Center for Higher Education Policy makes recommendations about the UNC System here. I think this one is particularly important:

Revamp education schools. As I said earlier, the one thing that would do the most to restore confidence in universities would be to create humanities departments that have respect for the great tradition of liberal arts education. The second most valuable step would be to improve UNC’s schools of education. Studies of teachers produced by the UNC system show that many have not been well prepared for the K-12 classroom. It is no secret that UNC education schools, like most others, have veered toward education theory rather than practice and that they focus on social issues rather than conveying the nuts and bolts of how to teach. This must change if we are to unlock the full potential of North Carolina’s next generation instead of limiting it.

When You Have To Issue “Enhanced Standards of Conduct” Rules, You Know You Have a Problem

The Secret Service has issued new rules to try to prevent another episode of rotten behavior by agents. I suppose that  “Enhanced Standards of Conduct” rules may make some think twice if they fear their career is on the line. The reality, however, is that people who lack self respect and character will always act out, no matter where they work or who they hurt.