More debate on UCI graduation

Concerning the green stoles at commencement, that’s just what it

should be, nothing more, nothing less.

If the Muslims want to protest something, do it after the

ceremony. I would think a college grad would have brains enough to

see that.

That’s all I have to say. Anything further, I’m afraid, would only

fall on deaf ears.

WARREN J. CLARK

Balboa

I don’t agree with the Muslim students with those stoles. I think

that this is a ceremony for graduation purposes to celebrate people’s

graduation, and they should be sensitive to the fact that that would

be offensive to a large part of that population.

Likewise, I don’t think I would wear a Nazi armband. You know

that’s ridiculous. I’m not a Nazi, but you know, I think that is in

poor taste. Not only that -- I think these immigrants not adopting

the American culture are offensive, and I think they should step in

line with the cultural mores and attitudes that we all share here in

Southern California. So, I think they’re very wrong. And they should

stop it. And, regardless, in light of what’s been occurring, it’s

just sickening.

My grandfather went to World War II to fight that and would have

died for [America]. And there have been a lot of generations of my

family that have fought for America, like a lot of people here.

So enough is enough. Tell these people to grow up and get a clue.

NED MARR

Newport Beach

I think the UCI administration has for too long allowed a group

that promotes intolerance and propaganda and bullying to do whatever

it wants under the banner of free speech.

No, no group -- including Arabs or Muslims -- should wear hateful

insignia during graduation.

I think our tax monies should not go to promote some college

students’ hateful agenda, especially at a graduation ceremony.

SUSAN CHARLOT

Irvine

No to the stoles.

My son graduated from UCI this past weekend, and I resent the fact

that I was subjected to a religious and political agenda at a

taxpayer-funded institution by a group that considers me to be an

infidel.

I understand the free-speech argument proffered by UCI and thought

professor LeVine acquitted himself well on the Bill O’Reilly Show.

But the fact remains that a university graduation is not the forum

for a religious and political statement, particularly by a religion

that has not spoken out against acts of terrorism, i.e. Sept. 11 and

recent beheadings of Americans, among others.

For example, what if my son wore a swastika and said it was really

a Native American Indian symbol? By definition, would that also be

acceptable to UCI?

The point is that one has to take the word of the Muslim group

regarding its definition of “shahada” and what their true intentions

really are. One need only look at the speakers who have addressed

their group to find the answer.

For the record, I am referring to radical Islam, not the Muslim

religion when taken as a whole.

Political correctness is one thing, but common sense, sensitivity

and good judgment by UCI are conspicuously absent in this matter.

Graduation should be a time of celebration and rejoicing, not a

platform for advancing a religious and political agenda at a

taxpayer-funded institution.

LYNN MCCRARY

Costa Mesa

The UCI officials are wrong about the stoles. Paul Johnson was

murdered just days ago. If there is any chance that the meaning of

the words on those stoles would support those beasts, they should not

be permitted.

Political correctness is going to get us all killed.

ANN NORMAN

Newport Beach