I have long admitted that, as an academic dweeb, I have long been confused by events after the eighteenth century. However, this story has me entirely perplexed. The University of Missouri at Kansas City has opened a women’s Hall of Fame and was looking for a female leader to open the event. Their choice among the millions of women in this country from generals to jurists to CEOs to governors to journalists to writers? Chelsea Clinton. Not only that, but the university paid $65,000 for Chelsea Clinton to speak only ten minutes under highly abridged appearance restrictions set by her handlers (in addition to other restrictions from a brief period for photos and water specifications).
The money goes to the Clinton Foundation, though critics have charged that the Foundation has served as a surrogate campaign platform for the Clintons (with the hiring of controversial politicos like Sidney Blumenthal) and have funded luxury travel for the Clintons.
The university actually started with Chelsea as the primary goal, but initially was told that she would not do the speech. They then tried for Hillary Clinton but was told that she would cost $275,000. They then considered “other” women besides Chelsea. That list was impressive, including obvious choices like feminist icon Gloria Steinem ($30,000) and journalists Cokie Roberts ($40,000), Tina Brown ($50,000) and Lesley Stahl ($50,000). You know, women who have made huge contributions not just to their gender but to the country. And they were substantially cheaper. What did Missouri decided? Pay more to get Chelsea for a ten-minute speech to tell people about what it is to be a female leader.
For a university to engage in such low-grade celebrity shopping is a disgrace not just to this new hall and the University of Missouri but the academic as a whole. There are literally thousands of women who inspire both men and women with their lives and accomplishments. The University of Missouri reduced the history of female struggle to a cheap photo op with the daughter of a famous couple. They might as well have gone with a Kardashian and left it at that.
Mary Kay McPhee, UMKC Starr Education Committee chair, was thrilled by the choice and the opening ceremony even as many scratched their heads at the choice of Chelsea Clinton.
Of course UMKC is not alone. NBC was subject to withering criticism from journalists around the country for hiring Chelsea Clinton with a lucrative contract to do feel-good stories. The hire was criticized as something pushed by Clinton supporters inside the network; alienating real journalists, and producing dreadful television pieces.
Universities are supposed to be places of substance and intellectual honesty. While UMKC is not the first to take celebrity appeal over substance, this is not some Friday night concert or sports celebration. This is supposed to be a new university component honoring women who struggled and made real contributions to this world. UMKC reduced that moment to a ten-minute celebrity photo op.
Source: Washington Post
Reblogged this on Scoop Feed.
“Their choice among the millions of women in this country from generals to jurists to CEOs to governors to journalists to writers?” – Prof. Turley.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION “…generals to jurists to CEOs (sic) to governors to journalists to writers?”
All were handed affirmative action positions on a silver platter, it should be noted.
Interestingly, the gender did not, could not and would never be expected to serve the State of Missouri or this nation in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the Viet Nam War, Desert Storm, the Iraq War or the War in Afghanistan (this is not a solicitation for enlistment of unqualified war fighters).
Is it any wonder why the Untied States began as a restricted-vote republic requiring voters to be European, male, 21 years of age with 50lbs. Sterling or 50 acres.
The nation was important. The vote was important.
Lest a catastrophe occur – a catastrophe like the 19th amendment.
Don’t the Clintons still owe us some White House furniture from when they left? When I read about the Clintons I feel dirty.
Jim Crow
The School of Journalism, at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri–also known as Mizzou–has a good reputation. The rest of the school—meh.
The taxpayers of Missouri need a forensic economist to trace the source of money which was paid to this person.
UMKC is a good school. Not to be confused with Mizzou in Columbia.
I’m sure the school knew the rate and conditions of her appearance. They could have said no, thanks, but didn’t. These fees will stop being paid when they stop being paid.
Mike Wallace was never a politician, bomb dropper. He was a game show host and reporter.
Who said America got rid of the Aristocracy in 1776?
According to many people who work w/ Princess Chelsea, she is NOT a nice person. So, being “sure she is a nice person” is flat ass wrong. So, there’s that, bomb dropper w/ BDS. Can these BDS victims ever be cured? How about a telethon. Jerry Lewis is available.
Chelsea in 2024!
I was not a big Bill Clinton fan, but I have to strongly object to all the slander and calumny that is directed their way. It is ludicrous to call a Clinton dynasty when there was only ONE Clinton as President. Yet I hear little expression of a BUSH DYNASTY with at least TWO Presidents, multiple sons, brothers, uncles etc.. occupying many political offices for the ONLY reason that their name is BUSH. W Bush never would have been thought of running for Governor of Texas had he not been the son of GHW Bush. His son Neil got a pass on a prison term in the Silverado S&L theft. So let’s use some terms that have some approximation of rational thought.
I am surprised that Gloria Steinem was not asked since she is a real leader who has made major contributions to women in leading positions. Chelsea is nice person I am sure, but again, she is simply piggybacking on her parents fame At least she is not as bad as the GOP hacks like the Bush dynasty. As for kids using their political connections to get a journalist position, look at Mika Brzenski and Chris Wallace.
JunkChuck, you’re right on. Famous for being famous!
Dust Bunny: Did not Chelsea have a kid? That means she got knocked up. It takes two to tango. So she had some help in the matter. HumpinDog denied any involvement at the time. But I cannot ask him because he is out of country and not communicating with his pals here.
John Smith, UMKC is a good school. I worked w/ many attorneys who went to law school there and married a woman who got her Master’s degree there.
Great job getting back on the Clintons. And, you have to understand how the Clinton slush fund, err Clinton Foundation, works. The check UMKC paid was made out to the foundation. So, it’s a deduction. The Clintons use their Foundation and Global Initiative like a piggy bank. Only 17 cents on the dollar goes to charity. The rest goes to the Clinton’s and their cronies. Watchdog groups that keep tabs on charities have stopped trying w/ the Clinton Foundation, saying their “bookkeeping” makes analysis impossible.
U of Mo has an excellent economics department with the great economist Michael Hudson. They should have given him the money for a public speech, instead of Chelsea.
At least she’s cute.
A discounted Clinton!
Name ONE thing that Chelsea Clinton accomplished without her connection to her (in)famous parents. Something she did entirely on her own without the benefit of her status and wealth…AND the Clinton name Names something that if accomplished by an ordinary woman through hard work, dedication,overcoming obstacles, bucking the system, would be an accomplishment that was not only amazing but even contributed to the elevation of other women aspiring to rise.
Name ONE. I dare you.
I don’t dislike the girl. I feel sorry for her for having those two disgusting humans as parents and having been raised in a fishbowl.
Those are not worth accomplishments either nor in any way an inspiration to other women. There is no reason other than political pandering and slavering liberalism to have this entitled girl speak at such an event.
I’m not even a ‘feminist’ and I am insulted.
BFM, FOI does require the preservation of emails. Now, they can be withheld from release on national security grounds, but they are supposed to be retained.
All that plastic surgery doesn’t pay for itself, folks.