Hey, Lehigh!
Your students have Compelling Perspectives on the Bush administration, too! And in light of his selection as this year’s speaker, not to mention the profile posted to Lehigh’s website claiming that Bush “liberated more than 50 million people from tyranny,” we are taking the opportunity to remind our community of the many instances of violence that mar his legacy.
OUR DEMANDS:
- We ask that Lehigh a) open the speaker event to the Brown & White Newspaper and other media entities, b) abandon the question curation model/commit to making the event a true open forum so that community members can engage in uncensored dialogue, c) disclose the speaking fee and funding that went towards Compelling Perspectives, and d) enlist someone to rewrite the “Learn more about President Bush” profile (propaganda!) posted to the school’s website to more accurately portray the Bush administration (if you’re at a loss, Helble, the Lesbian Avengers are more than up to the task).
- We ask that the student body treat this event as a call to action and education. Do not accept the image of Bush proffered to you. Do your own research. Understand that the so-called “War on Terror” was a myth sold to frightened U.S. citizens in the wake of 9/11 that legitimized state-sponsored terrorism abroad for years to come. Understand that Bush’s time in office was a part of this country’s ongoing neo-colonial mission to orchestrate regime change in SWANA and establish Western geopolitical dominance over the region. Prepare compelling, candid questions. Voice our collective demands, or your own, at every opportunity.
In solidarity and defiance, and may the fire never consume us,
The Lesbian Avengers
References:
Beavers, E. (2026, September 10). Human. Costs of War | Brown University.
Brody, R. (2011, July 12). Getting Away with Torture. Human Rights Watch.
CBC. (2005, November 16). U.S. official admits phosphorus used as weapon in Iraq. CBC.
ECCHR. (2011, February). Criminal complaint against George W. Bush. Ecchr.
Frontline. (2014). A Short History of Fema | The Storm | FRONTLINE | PBS. Pbs.Org.
Khawaja, N. A. (2012). Human Rights Violations Under US Occupation in Iraq: An Analysis. Jstor.
Lean, G. (2005, September 3). Warnings went ignored as Bush slashed flood defence budget to pay for wars | The Independent. The Independent.
Surveillance Under the USA/PATRIOT Act. (2005, September 14). American Civil Liberties Union.
9/11 Commission Questions Iraq Connection. (2004, June 18). PBS News.
