The University of Wyoming is drawing criticism for naming its new international-student center for Dick Cheney, the former Republican vice president who is a Wyoming native and a university alumnus. According to the Associated Press, the center is being partly financed with $3.2-million that Mr. Cheney and his wife have donated over the years. Critics says it’s inappropriate for an international center to honor someone known for his strong support of the Iraq War and brutal interrogation techniques. Tom Buchanan, the university’s president, said in a recent op-ed that “tolerance and diversity cut many ways,” including when critics find “their own comfort zone” challenged.
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17 Responses to Critics Attack U. of Wyoming Over Center to Be Named for Cheney
markjelavich - September 9, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Whatever you think of Cheney, he still was the vice president for eight years. It seems rather petty to complain about naming the building after him.
amcneece - September 9, 2009 at 4:13 pm
It’s also inappropriate to name a building or a center after a living person. (I know it’s done all the time, but it’s still inappropriate).On the other hand, wasn’t the University of Wyoming aware of Mr. Cheney’s politics while he was contributing the money over the last three years?
hoffpeter - September 9, 2009 at 4:18 pm
That’s like saying, “whatever you think of Stalin, he still was Premier of the Soviet Union for 29 years.” And yes, the parallel is a good one.
luskivitch - September 9, 2009 at 4:32 pm
What a disgrace. The man is a war criminal.
rlb68 - September 9, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Oh, please! Get a grip. Amen, to Dr. Buchanan’s statement.
profesr - September 9, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Some of you people need to get a life. Mr. Cheney WAS the vice-president of the United States whether you like his politics or not. He contributed money to the UofW and is an alumnus. How many of you have given over three million dollars to your school? Probably not many! He is as deserving as any other person to have a building named after them. I am personally proud of the job that he did while in office!!!! I just pray that I can say the same thing when Obama and Biden leave office.
akprof - September 9, 2009 at 6:02 pm
What will Wyoming do if he is ever tried for his actions during and following the build-up to the Iraq War? And profesr, given my income and Cheney’s income, I’d venture a guess that my contributions to my institution are close to commensurate with his.
akprof - September 9, 2009 at 6:02 pm
What will Wyoming do if he is ever tried for his actions during and following the build-up to the Iraq War? And profesr, given my income and Cheney’s income, I’d venture a guess that my contributions to my institution are close to commensurate with his.
rushlib - September 9, 2009 at 6:03 pm
As a dual alum, I have met Buchanan. I don’t like his style. I believe he is not the right person for the job and makes bad decisions for the University. While Cheney may have been an important donor and a long time Rep for the state, I believe that Senator Malcom Wallop is a better representative of the Wyoming spirit. Honor Wallop instead. IMO, Wallop is not a DC wonk; Cheney is. Furthermore, Cheney seems rather xenophobic thus an international student center is anathema to him. Perhaps a conservative national security think tank (in the form of a high end hunting lodge) might be more appropriate, UW?
profesr - September 9, 2009 at 6:28 pm
I have never lived in Wyoming so I do not know Malcom Wallop. Has he been involved with “international” issues? The building is an international student center and you have to admit that Mr. Cheney has been very involved with international issues. We may have different political views (as you probably guessed, I am mainly conservative) but in the past eight years Mr. Cheney has had a greater affect on international relations probably more than anyone that I know. Whether the Iraq War was a good or bad ideal it did greatly effect the international scene.
gberkleycoats - September 10, 2009 at 8:37 am
International student center????? How about international torture center – much more appropiate!
wilcoxlibrary - September 10, 2009 at 2:23 pm
They should name it after TJ Box. Now there is a Wyiomingite I would have a beer with.
luigi - September 10, 2009 at 5:21 pm
At my school, a building was name after a big donor who was later convicted of murder. His name came off the building. Would President Buchanan have kept his name up there? As a general principle, I think it unwise to name a building after a living person.
luigi - September 10, 2009 at 5:21 pm
At my school, a building was name after a big donor who was later convicted of murder. His name came off the building. Would President Buchanan have kept his name up there? As a general principle, I think it unwise to name a building after a living person.
akprof - September 10, 2009 at 9:09 pm
The big question in Alaska during Ted Stevens trial was whether, if he was convicted, they would change the name of the Ted Stevens International Airport – when the Justice Dept. dropped the case, that became moot. My guess is that it would not have changed even if the conviction had stood!!
wjerves - September 11, 2009 at 11:13 pm
I wonder how many fo the foaming at the mouth critics of Dick Cheney actually live in Wyoming?
wjerves - September 11, 2009 at 11:13 pm
I wonder how many fo the foaming at the mouth critics of Dick Cheney actually live in Wyoming?