To the Villanovan Editors:
I regret to say how very disappointed I was in the former Vice President Mike Pence event recently held at the Law School. Mr. Pence did not give a speech, but instead answered questions posed by a moderator. (I and others who pre-registered for the event were invited to submit questions in advance.)
In the event, Pence was not asked a a single tough or probing question. While I admire him for not bending to pressure from then-President Trump to “accept” alternate Electoral College slates that would vote for Trump, there are many controversial and questionable aspects to Pence’s career.
How could there not be when he supported every other awful thing that Trump said (“Lock her up!”) as a candidate 2016 and did (too many examples) as President?
All persons of power/influence who speak on this campus should face critical questions (respectfully spoken, of course). I fear there is a growing trend on campus to “protect” speakers–to baby them really–from actual probing questions from attendees.
(I see that those registering for the military policy symposium on campus soon thereafter were also asked to submit questions online. Sigh.)
I agree with many, many things Pence said, and I admire his resistance to Trump’s pressure, so it’s nothing personal against him. But, at a good university or law school, this sort of thing should never happen.
Villanova University’s speakers policy says that it is understood that “some speakers will hold, offer, and defend positions that differ from Catholic Church teaching. The expectation is that they will do so in an academically responsible fashion, be open to questions and challenges from members of the audience….”
I accept that Mr. Pence considers himself a faithful Christian, and he seems like a nice guy; but it is hard to square active support of Trump for 4 years with authentic Christianity. Audience members should have been allowed to ask him about this and other things. No doubt he could have responded.
He’s a big boy, with no need for protection from tough questions. If Kamala Harris were on campus, I’d say exactly the same thing.
We are not a second-rate university and do not have a second-rate law school. Visiting, controversial speakers should be treated as a first-rate university would do—with respect, but plenty of challenging questions