Larry P. Arnn, the President of
Hillsdale College, is a brilliant man
with impeccable academic credentials and a national reputation as an expert on
the United States Constitution.
He is also an energetic and indefatigable
fund raiser.
In March of 2016, President Arnn
sent Polly and me a solicitation letter which contained – visible through a window
– a one dollar bill. It’s a not uncommon strategy to get folks to open letters
asking for money.
I replied as follows:
March 6, 2016
President Larry P. Arnn
Hillsdale College
Hillsdale, Michigan
Dear Larry:
Polly and I have supported Hillsdale and will continue to do
so. No need to send money. We have always been impressed with the mission and
tradition of Hillsdale. Certainly the American people need to be reminded of
the precious gift of constitutional government that has been our birthright,
and your national educational campaign is necessary and timely.
There is, however, a dimension in the field of
constitutional study that, I believe, has not been adequately addressed by any American
college or university: the Article V amendatory constitutional convention.
Currently, there are at least seven active initiatives
seeking a convention call.
At the same time, there are a number of voices, both from
the Left and the Right, expressing opposition to an Article V convention for
any reason.
I am writing to urge you to consider hosting a debate on
Article V. In this season of political debates, I think such an offering would
garner a large audience and could well produce substantial revenue for the
sponsor.
I would very much appreciate the opportunity to sit down
with you and discuss this idea.
Sincerely,
Thomas E. Brennan
cc: Chris Chocola
Encl: $100
That letter was never answered or
acknowledged, but I can’t say it wasn’t noticed. Indeed it seems to have induced
President Arnn’s staff to achieve new heights of solicitation.
As the year 2016 came to a close,
a virtual crescendo of emails from Larry Arnn exploded on my computer screen.
No fewer than eleven requests for money: On December 3, 8, 17, 24, 28, 29, 30,
30, 31, 31, 31.
The other day, my son, Tom, Jr.
wrote to encourage me to read Larry Arnn’s speech printed in Hillsdale’s
magazine, Imprimus. I did, and found
it interesting. Indeed worthy of comment.
I would welcome a vigorous exchange with President Arnn on various Constitutional issues. Maybe I should send him a dollar.
I would welcome a vigorous exchange with President Arnn on various Constitutional issues. Maybe I should send him a dollar.
I hope Arnn sees this and reacts, since any reaction would be a step in the right direction. I know that as president of TMC for 30 years, you responded to every person who took the time to write you. Too bad some in positions of consequence don't respect people enough to see the need to do so.
ReplyDeleteI studied several on-line courses thru Hillsdale College and found them fascinating. And I know Prof. Arnn is a Director? of the Heritage Foundation. Which is pretty exciting to have his influence at that conservative think tank. I support both and have for many years. And yes, I received many of those solicitations also, including the dollar bill. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteYour Honor
ReplyDeleteTo whom do we solicit for a Constitutionsl Convention?
Your Honour,
ReplyDeleteSigning up for Dr. Larry Arnn's Hillsdale College Introduction to the Constitution 09 2011 Youtube presentation here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lJ47O0qySo at the 2:28 minute mark Dr. Arnn erroneously quoted the very foundation of our Constitution inalienable NOT correct UNalienable `
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain UNALIENABLE (my emphasis) Rights, that among these are Life...(abortion UNconstitutional) Leading to difference Understanding Unalienable Rights ~
Why do we use the term unalienable instead of inalienable? Inalienable rights are subject to changes in the law such as when property rights are given a back seat to emerging environmental law or free speech rights give way to political correctness. Whereas under the original doctrine of unalienable rights, these rights cannot be abridged. Freedom Advocates 09-08-2009 Michael Shaw
Leading to sending notice to Dr. Arnn of his error with no reply or correction. Leading to going elsewhere for Constitutional understanding. Dr. Arnn's lack of response mirrors his lack of character.
Thank you for your efforts. I intend to keep,defend and protect our Constitution.