Howard Dean notwithstanding. Yet perhaps this item will. Or maybe not. The full rather short story is here. For good or bad, you can decide, “Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, will no longer speak at the University of Vermont’s commencement ceremony…” The protestors have been camping in protest and this was indeed one of their demands. The belief there is that “the ambassador was complicit in the U.S.’ decision to veto three U.N. resolutions calling for a cease-fire in Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.” This I am not so sure of as I assume that the US UN ambassador complies with the wishes of the US President. And how much will this hurt or help anyone in any direction seems to be rather cloudy. Would the graduates have been excited to hear her speak? Maybe. I for one did not attend my university graduation ceremony. High school was more than enough for me. And I can find no where announcing a replacement speaker. Will this send a message to any one? Maybe if it makes more than VTDigger news. And this message is a little weak no matter if received or not. I doubt that it will hurt the feelings of Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. Will President Biden notice or know? That is above my pay grade.
There are more demands as well including “…divestment from Israeli companies, the cutting of ties with Israeli academic institutions and amnesty for student protesters.” These will remain to be seen I think. And it looks as though punishment for the protestors is looming and/or to be determined.
So maybe not much of a thing in the big picture but at least a something.