To: Barack Obama From: Us Re.: Your Presidency
Advice from nine BU professors on war, science, commerce, and justice
Click on the links below to read the full memos. Stayed tuned for more memos on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.
Andrew Bacevich, professor of international relations and history, College of Arts and Sciences
“Once your honeymoon ends — and it will, sooner than you think — the Afghan war will be your war. Don’t let it become your Iraq.” Full text
Charles Merzbacher, associate professor and chairman of film and television, College of Communication
“Force us to conserve and to find alternative sources of energy. For that, we will thank you someday.” Full text
Tamar Frankel, professor, School of Law
“Follow your ideals. Let us follow ours. Avoid ideology. Lead, but do not rule.” Full text
Farouk El-Baz, research professor and director, Center for Remote Sensing
“Don’t send anyone anywhere; ask them to follow you as you lead.” Full text
Mitchell Zuckoff, professor of journalism, College of Communication
“I respectfully urge you to engage fully with the media you don’t control.” Full text
Louis E. Lataif (SMG’61, Hon.’90), Allen Questrom Professor and Dean, School of Management
“Do not destroy workers’ rights to a secret ballot.” Full text
Thomas Fiedler (COM’71), dean, College of Communication
“Open up the White House to press coverage and inquiry. Let your staff speak freely and on the record.” Full text
William Keylor, professor of international relations and history, College of Arts and Sciences
“Resist the pressure to erect barriers to foreign competition.” Full text
Nathan Schwadron, associate professor of astronomy, College of Arts and Sciences
“We must become greater physical innovators to overcome major societal problems.”
Full text
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