January 29, 2007 10:54 am
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To some with narrow minds
Dear Editor:
As the Bush library has been narrowed down to SMU, I am astonished at some hierachy reactions! Are there cobwebs or mindsets clouding the vision of some connected to SMU? Morals or politics? Tenure muscle or neoliberalism? I’m just a dumb Aggie Methodist with no ties to SMU other than through some good friends, but even I can visualize the tremendous value that a presidential library could mean to any university.
Visit the elder Bush library at College Station, if in doubt. Surely the “big red and blue bleeders” are not so far back into the forests of Highland Park that this is not visible to them. I say that a non-controversial leader, such as we have seldom had, may not have a lot to offer for library material as his memorial for the nation.
Big decision makers with the world at stake can make calls of unpredictable consequences as well as loads of easy ones. Some leave legacies not appreciated until even generations later. Some may be idolized currently and criticized later. The factor here is this is world history with intimate details offered you with great sincerity. There should be cosmopolitan throngs banging on the door for research and study as well as all ages of people just coming to browse, with ecumenical interest, the huge resources offered.
Surely as many or more liberals as moderates and conservatives will be striving for a chance to use this facility. Grants, money gifts and scholarships are a certainty. I would hope that SMU students receive open minded and non-biased theory in class as you seem to indicate.
If you fussers can’t see all of the value here, then you have missed observing and learning practicality and never should preach or teach to people looking for a broad perspective for living. The Methodist doctrine is big on striving to practice more grace, and I don’t believe that it is not still in vogue within those hallowed halls and in the hearts of the SMU family.
My friends at Baylor will be thrilled to help you out of such a decisional calamity, as you see it. Go Ponies. Be first at the trough or stand back for those in need of varied but nourishing nutrition as it will brighten their eyes and slicken their coats! What’s that old saying about shooting yourself in the foot?
Monte Swatzell
Cleburne
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