I was both appalled and disheartened by the comments set forth by Mr. Jim Edwards against Professor Michael Dukakis in last week’s Northeastern News publication. Let me start by stating that I did not attend this event so the purpose of this commentary is not to dispute the tenets of Michael Dukakis’ speech on that particular day. Rather, I am writing to present my own personal views on Mr. Edwards’ remarks

I want to make clear that in my opinion the events that occurred on September the 11th 2001 were undoubtedly the most inhumane acts that I could ever envision. I certainly realize the importance of remembering and celebrating the lives that were so brutally taken on that particular day. However, I also believe that whether right or wrong, the ramifications of these particular acts are inevitably going to be construed in some political context. Nevertheless, the notion of Professor Dukakis using the vigil to “further his political agenda” is both ill conceived and outright absurd. Michael Dukakis is a Professor, not a political candidate and regardless he has every right as an American citizen to express his concern. Moreover, if disagreeing with certain aspects of George W. Bush’s policies and/or actions is considered to be “unpatriotic,” then the majority of the American public are guilty as charged.

I am going take a wild guess, Mr. Edwards, that considering you are currently an electrical engineering major, you have not yet had the opportunity to have Professor Dukakis in an academic setting. I guarantee that if you had, you would know that Professor Dukakis’s primary goals are to inspire and educate future leaders and policy makers, not to inflict a particular political ideology on them. To further validate this point, the former Governor’s assistant recently said to me that people still call and write each day to both his home and office to thank him for his service to the Commonwealth. She stated further that people don’t realize the true impact he has made, both as a politician and as a professor. It is well known around the University that there is nothing that he wouldn’t do for one of his students.

To reiterate, I absolutely agree that a vigil is certainly not a place for advancing a political platform; however, I am certain that this was not Professor Dukakis’s intent. Therefore, considering that I have been his student for the past three years, I would highly recommend that anyone who believes such unsubstantiated sentiments as “Dukakis is a poor example of an American” and “a cold hearted politician” enroll in his course next year and I guarantee that you will discover the exact opposite.

Mr. Edwards, I can’t help but wonder if any other professor had made this particular speech, would you still have felt so threatened?

Submitted by Danielle J. Chaplick Senior Political Science Major