Saturday, March 24, 2007
Jeb Bush Denied Honorary Degree
Proving that now and then a little justice escapes from the American penal system, Jeb Bush has been refused a honorary degree from the University of Florida. That’s weird: he’s a remarkably powerful man in Florida, and has many low friends in high places. But not enough, apparently. Good.
We can only hope the Bushes sink into the swamps and remain there indefinitely.
The New York Times
March 24, 2007
University of Florida Senate Denies Degree to Jeb Bush
By ABBY GOODNOUGH
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/24/us/24florida..html?pagewanted=print
MIAMI, March 23 — Pondering his options after eight years in office, former Gov. Jeb Bush can cross one off the list, honorary degree recipient at the University of Florida, the largest university in the state.
The Faculty Senate there rejected a proposal on Thursday to award Mr. Bush an honorary degree this spring. Some members openly criticized his policies.
It is the first time in memory that the group has rejected a nominee put forth by its honorary degrees committee, said J. Bernard Machen, the university president.
The Senate voted, 38 to 28, against the proposal, which came from a former president of the university and was supported by two university trustees appointed by Mr. Bush.
The Senate chairwoman, Denaya Wright, said the nomination was a mistake, not just because some faculty members dislike Mr. Bush, a Republican who called himself “the education governor,” but also because he did not have the right background for an honorary degree.
“Recipients have pretty much always been distinguished scientists, engineers, artists, nurses, doctors,” Ms. Wright said.
The university, based in Gainesville, has awarded honorary degrees to five former governors, including Bob Graham in 2004 and Reubin Askew in 1983. All were Democrats. It also bestowed one on Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, in 2004.
We can only hope the Bushes sink into the swamps and remain there indefinitely.
The New York Times
March 24, 2007
University of Florida Senate Denies Degree to Jeb Bush
By ABBY GOODNOUGH
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/24/us/24florida..html?pagewanted=print
MIAMI, March 23 — Pondering his options after eight years in office, former Gov. Jeb Bush can cross one off the list, honorary degree recipient at the University of Florida, the largest university in the state.
The Faculty Senate there rejected a proposal on Thursday to award Mr. Bush an honorary degree this spring. Some members openly criticized his policies.
It is the first time in memory that the group has rejected a nominee put forth by its honorary degrees committee, said J. Bernard Machen, the university president.
The Senate voted, 38 to 28, against the proposal, which came from a former president of the university and was supported by two university trustees appointed by Mr. Bush.
The Senate chairwoman, Denaya Wright, said the nomination was a mistake, not just because some faculty members dislike Mr. Bush, a Republican who called himself “the education governor,” but also because he did not have the right background for an honorary degree.
“Recipients have pretty much always been distinguished scientists, engineers, artists, nurses, doctors,” Ms. Wright said.
The university, based in Gainesville, has awarded honorary degrees to five former governors, including Bob Graham in 2004 and Reubin Askew in 1983. All were Democrats. It also bestowed one on Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, in 2004.
