Friday, February 3, 2012

Hypocrisy

A few minutes ago the former President and Rector of the Central European University was given an honorary doctorate degree by the present Rector. Billionaire financial speculator George Soros founded and funds this University. This is what the former top guy said to his audience of professors and students and the present top guy:

Our universities are teaching a false economic theory that making the rich richer will also make everyone else richer, that free markets, absence of regulation and neglect of social services support democracy.

Everyone applauded. I was sitting on the floor at the back of the room, comfortably attending to the internet. I didn't say anything, nor did anyone else.

What might I and the present top guy and others have asked the former top guy of George Soros's University?
Why did you, in your 10 years as President and Rector, allow the false economic theories to be taught here? Why do the false economic theories continue to be taught? Why didn't you stop it? Why aren't you trying to now?*
hy·poc·ri·sy (h -p k r -s ). n. pl. hy·poc·ri·sies. 1. The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; falseness.

P.S. And now here's the other side. After he had spoken his few words and the audience was dismissed I went up to the former President and Rector of the University and said:

- You realize you are in the enemy camp here.
- I've been there my whole life.

* "While noble motives are typically evoked in the context of ceremonial speeches, the university’s various stakeholders generally do not typically commit themselves to clear aims for their institution."- from the former President & Rector's upcoming book, The University In The 21st Century.