Campaign against Exxon ads

supports GCEP

Let’s set the record straight: The Stanford alumni effort to support the ExxonMobil shareholder proposal on greenhouse gas reductions (“Ad Campaign Within Exxon’s Rights,” May 23, 2007) does not undermine Stanford’s Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP).

GCEP is an important research project addressing complex climate change issues. However, that does not mean that Stanford alumni should stand by silently as Exxon exploits its support for GCEP as a “fig leaf” to hide its inaction on climate solutions. Other GCEP funding partners (notably GE and Toyota) are already making major investments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Exxon stands alone among GCEP supporters in having no near-term climate plan.

Exxon’s donations to GCEP are appreciated. However, the University’s name and reputation are not for sale. We should expect all corporate donors (including Exxon) to “walk the walk” and be exemplary corporate citizens. We need to set the bar high and never allow the University’s reputation to be cheapened by corporate greenwashing. Stanford deserves nothing less.

Kirk Miller

Class of 1987

Focus on other Iraq issues

In the past week, both The Daily and KZSU have published stories about Stanford’s lack of anti-war protests (“Where have all the anti-war protests gone?” May 23). These interviews and articles ask questions on why there aren’t as many protests today as in the “glory” days of the ‘60s and ‘70s during Vietnam.

According to The Daily, our activism is “startlingly subdued” and The Daily and KZSU seem to be scratching their heads at this anomaly in Stanford’s history.

Now that The Daily has told us why we know a lot about the war and don’t care, I challenge The Daily to spend that same energy reporting on the war’s relevance to Stanford.

I want to hear about the Hoover Institution and what they’re saying about the Iraq War, not my own inaction.

I want to hear about Stanford alumni who are fighting and dying in the war, not more excuses for apathy.

I want to know more details about the $105 million military research grant that has mainly battlefield applications, not my unwillingness to speak out against the war.

I want to read a feature on Iraqi universities and how Iraqi students and even Iraqi-American students are affected by the war, not a feature on my own ignorance.

Wednesday’s article, “Where have all the anti-war protests gone?” is more than three times the length of the May 3 article, “Army gives Univ. $105 mil. Grant.”

I’m not putting The Daily to blame for our lack of activism, just challenging it to foster relevant conversations on Iraq.

Laura Wadden

Sophomore, International Relations

Stanford Coalition for Peace and Justice