The CBS story about Rick Wolff's son

[MMEEROPO%WNEC.BITNET@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I watched the CBS story about Rick Wolff's son, Mack [Matt?] and his
experience at Vassar.  I must say I really feel for what Rick and his family
went through --- Here was someone clearly innocent who ended up being charged
with virtually a crime and was thus caught up in a kind of Kafka-esque
nightmare.

The CBS program left a lot of issues hanging.  Was Mack [Matt??]'s name made
public when he was accused.  Was the atmosphere on campus one of having
convicted him already and heavy with harrassment?  That's the McCarthyism
aspect that is so terrifying.  The principle that one is innocent until proven
guilty should definitely apply in issues of racist/sexist/homophobic activity
-- I would argue that such "non criminal crimes" are worse than, say,
shoplifting in terms of what it says about someone's character --- yet the
alleged shoplifter gets lots of (form of ) due process.

CBS made it clear that Vassar clearly fumbled the ball at one level.  Mr.
Wolff offered to submit to a voice print analysis (the offense was making a
viciously homophobic phone call) and CBS offered to PAY for the analysis but
Vassar refused.  Did they refuse because CBS insisted on the right to RUN the
offending tape over the air or did they give no reason to refuse.  Vassar's
refusal to take up CBS' offer indicates support for Rick Wolff's statement
that they would not interested in finding out who did something but had some
other nefarious agenda.  Does anyone out there work at Vassar or know people
who are connected with it.  [paradoxically, the victim is a relative of a
radical economist and the chief perpetrator (the prez of Vassar) is a realtive
of a radical economist!]

Anyway, I hope Rick doesn't think these questions are in any way evidence of
lack of belief that this accusation was a clear injustice.  I just thought the
CBS report left a lot of things unsaid.  I also note that Rick's original post
suggested that there was a hidden agenda in the persecution of his son ---
neamely USING PC stuff to attack TRUE supporters of multiculturalism.  None of
that came through on the show.

Matt [mack?]'s last comment was very much to the point:  "It shows what
happens when you take a basically good idea and drive it to extremes..." [or
something like that, I'm doing this from memory]

Anyone else see it?  If this reaches Rick --- believe me, I know how rotten it
is to be falsely accused!!!  Mike Meeropol


Mike Meeropol
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