Public university honors ruthless dictator. No one surprised.

Background: Currently, MSU students are petitioning the MSU honorary degree committee to revoke Zimbabwe dictator Robert Mugabe's honorary degree awarded in 1990. The administration doesn't want to.

The real question concerning Zimbabwe dictator Robert Mugabe’s honorary degree is why was it awarded in the first place? During the 1980s, prior to the award, Mugabe was linked to the ethnic massacre of more than 20,000 civilians. In addition, his election as Prime Minister was tainted by widespread fraud. Today, Mugabe is responsible for the complete destruction of Zimbabwe’s economy, mass starvation, and persecution of political opposition leaders.

MSU’s honorary degree committee made an extremely poor decision 18 years ago. They continue to make a mistake by refusing to revoke this ruthless despot’s degree.

[Letter to the Editor - The State News. Published 02/29/2008.]