Writer's personal views

On March 16, The Jakarta Post ran an opinion piece about America's relationship with Israel written by W. Scott Thompson, who used to teach at The Fletcher School at Tufts University and now holds an adjunct appointment.

As one who strongly believes in academic freedom, I understand Thompson has a right to his own opinions, no matter how off base or offensive his arguments might be. However, I would also like to make clear that his views are entirely his own and represent neither the Fletcher School nor Tufts University.

Indeed, this may be an appropriate time to recall the eloquent words of the U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis, who said, "If there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by process of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence."

STEPHEN W. BOSWORTH Dean The Fletcher School Tufts University Medford, Massachusetts USA