Kyle Cupp
A student group at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Students for a Fair Society, wants the school to rescind the honorary degree it gave in 2012 to General Michael Hayden, the former director of the CIA.
Like Sam Rocha, I don’t really care whether or not FUS, my alma mater, rescinds the honor. Hayden was a known torture-promoter then, and he remains so today, defending the CIA torture program, all its works, and all its empty promises.
However, having honored the man and associated itself with his CIA career, the university should not remain silent. It should speak out, publicly and loudly, against General Hayden’s lies and falsehoods, including the consequentialist drivel he employs in shameless support of them.
When it comes to national intelligence and interrogation policy, Hayden doesn’t follow the Catholic values of the university; there should be no confusion that he does. FUS has an obligation to challenge the man it honored.
An official policy of torture is a part of American history, and it could easily return. What will Franciscan University’s legacy be on this grave matter?
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