I didn’t get the sense that the college presidents were taking any specific stand in their responses to a question that was effectively about their bylaws, rather than the morality of the statements considered in the question. My interpretation of the story is that a lot of the anger aimed at these presidents is because they answered the question that they were asked instead of answering an implied morality question.
Yet, I agree. As a university employee myself, I could imagine that a professor (assuming she is one) would behave the way she did. We’re trained to answer questions as asked, showing nuances, rather than judging something black or white.
Congresspeople asked “does the university rules allow something, yes or no!?” Of course, the correct answer is “it depends on the context”, as she replied. That politician used the usual rhetorical tactic. Even they themselves know it’s not yes or no. In that sense, the congress became the political theater as always. I rather dislike the way congresspeople treated her.
That said, she should have known better. Her response also showed that she didn’t try enough with her management.
I didn’t get the sense that the college presidents were taking any specific stand in their responses to a question that was effectively about their bylaws, rather than the morality of the statements considered in the question. My interpretation of the story is that a lot of the anger aimed at these presidents is because they answered the question that they were asked instead of answering an implied morality question.
They equivocated instead of answering directly. You’re basically right, though.
“implied morality” = loaded
I do think she should resign.
Yet, I agree. As a university employee myself, I could imagine that a professor (assuming she is one) would behave the way she did. We’re trained to answer questions as asked, showing nuances, rather than judging something black or white.
Congresspeople asked “does the university rules allow something, yes or no!?” Of course, the correct answer is “it depends on the context”, as she replied. That politician used the usual rhetorical tactic. Even they themselves know it’s not yes or no. In that sense, the congress became the political theater as always. I rather dislike the way congresspeople treated her.
That said, she should have known better. Her response also showed that she didn’t try enough with her management.