Stanford Israel Alliance did not cosponsor

Horowitz event

We are writing in regard to the article entitled “Horowitz criticizes academia as ‘leftist’ ” (Feb. 2) article that appeared in The Daily. In the article, the reporter erroneously stated that the Stanford Israel Alliance co-sponsored the event. However, this particular event was not cosponsored by our organization in light of the fact that we are working on two exciting upcoming events this month: a lecture by Thomas Friedman, New York Times foreign affairs correspondent, on Feb 8, and the Idan Raichel Project concert on Feb. 15.

We hope that in the future, the Stanford Daily staff will be more responsible about publishing correct information and take the extra step to ensure their news stories are accurate. We look forward to their coverage of our upcoming events.

ADI JAKUBOVITS AND ADAM ISEN

Co-Presidents, Stanford Israel Alliance

Sudanese Ambassador is apologist for

governments actions

I attended the Stanford-advertised and Muslim Student Association Network-sponsored visit by the Sudanese Ambassador last night. The talk, ostensibly on the genocide in Darfur, glaringly became the pleonastic propaganda of individuals with unclean hands.

I attended the talk, seared by the words that Canadian General Romeo Delaire wrote of about his time as the UN Commander in Rwanda during their horror. Like others, I thought humanity would unite to prevent such wanton and senseless cleaving of life again.

From the words of the speakers and ambassadors at tonight's event, I’ve since learned that the most important matter in African and particularly Sudanese affairs is the independent development and unquestioned actions of its government, not peace or the care of its people.

The ambassador, quoting Orwell, spoke eloquently that Sudan is the land of blacks, distinguished by tribal histories, but united by nationality and fear of foreign intervention for economic or political advantage. Exactly how the deaths of these Sudanese produced economic or political advantage for America was left unanswered.

After the ambassador spoke, I too was left shocked by his Orwellian doublespeak about the tainted actions of his government. I am also left with the question of how a student group could invite such an individual and how the university could advertise this event. This event marched less for peace than for the nationalistic scourge of the previous century.

STEVE MCBRIDE

Graduate Student, Economics