Thought of the Day - 11/12/09

So, it looks like convicted terrorist Raymond Luc Levasseur is not going to speak at UMass Amherst after all, thanks to a last-minute decision by his parole officer to detain him in Maine.

I am pleased by this outcome. Levasseur never should have been invited to appear in the first place, and his appearance should have been blocked by state officials.

I strongly support free speech rights, but allowing taxpayer funds to help promote the message and agenda of convicted terrorists is plainly wrong.

Thank you to all of those who joined the chorus of protest against Levasseur’s appearance. I believe calls from the police and the pressure from the public and people like those who answered the call to action I sent out were what convinced the parole people in Maine to say no.

What do you think about this case? Please post a comment below to let me know how you feel.

Call to Action

Have you heard about plans for convicted terrorist Raymond Luc Levasseur to speak at UMass Amherst?

Governor Patrick has asked university officials not to allow the event to take place, but a group of faculty members reportedly have extended the invitation nonetheless.

I'm planning to send a letter to Governor Patrick later this week opposing the appearance on campus, and also asking the Governor to block additional taxpayer funds from being spent.

You can read a copy of the letter below. What do you think about this issue? Please leave me a comment to let me know. Or, better yet, if you oppose Mr. Levasseur's appearance at UMass Amherst, I urge you to call the Governor's office to let him know how you feel. The number is 617-725-4005.

Thanks!

Karyn

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November 10, 2009

His Excellency Deval Patrick

Governor of the Commonwealth

The State House, Room 360

Boston, MA 02133

Dear Governor Patrick:

According to published reports, UMass Amherst is proceeding with plans to allow an on-campus speech by Raymond Luc Levasseur. Mr. Levasseur is the convicted leader of a radical group linked to courthouse bombings, the murder of a police officer and the attempted assassination of two Massachusetts State Police troopers.

We oppose Mr. Levasseur's appearance on state property, and we understand that you do as well. While you say you have directed UMass officials not to allow the speech to take place, they apparently are not abiding by your instructions.

We think it is an insult to Massachusetts residents to have this speech occur at a publicly-funded facility, and we still prefer that all possible means be used to block this event. But, if you are unable to stop it from occurring, we are asking that you at least spare taxpayers the gross indignity of having to foot the bill for the event. We are asking that no extraordinary efforts be made to accommodate Mr. Levasseur's appearance on campus, and that the state limit its commitment to such ordinary measures as would be taken to protect student safety on campus. And specifically, we are asking that all additional costs associated with the event (added security, venue fees, and any other expenses) either be assumed by private groups responsible for the appearance or that they not be incurred in the first place.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Karyn E. Polito

[Other signatures pending]