To the Editor:
The article "End states who sponsor terrorism" printed in The Polytechnic on October 10 has attracted the attention of many faculty and students on campus. The fact that it was printed as a paid advertisement implies that the contents are not necessarily the views of The Polytechnic. Nonetheless, the article is a part of an announcement for a speech by Dr. Andrew Bernstein, which was held on the same day, and was sponsored by the Objectivist Club.
It is not a secret to anyone who has read the article or has attended the speech that extreme views of violent nature have been presented. Both the article and the speech directed their hate and anger towards the Middle East and the middle eastern people.
Of course everyone is entitled to freedom of thought and speech. The issue here is that we believe, as Rensselaer’s chaplain puts it, "To condemn a group of people based on the actions of individuals from that group is unacceptable." Rensselaer’s president and the student government have also voiced their concern through similar statements.
Furthermore, by sponsoring this event, the Objectivist Club has crossed the first of the Rensselaer Union guidelines for the clubs: "Rensselaer Union clubs shall not perpetuate or encourage hate mongering, violence, racism, sexism, or discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual preference, age, race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, marital status, or handicap."
We believe the Rensselaer students, faculty, and staff should take notice and react to the above issues.
Iranian Student Association
Pakistan Students Association
