Bush is an idiot
You might hear that from lefties, and others in a bar conversation. But would you expect it from a University? That's the strategy taken for drawing attention to Lakehead University, who had the, uhm, "gumption" (?) to use this sort of image to draw attention to itself:
"Graduating from an Ivy League University
doesn't necessarily mean you're smart"
Yup... that's their advertising campaign. Here's the website, and here's an article on the subject. At least some of the faculty and higher-ups at the University aren't big fans of this. Neither am I. (Which isn't to say that I think Bush is particularly intelligent. I just think this is a poor PR move).
PS. Yes, the campaign seems to work. My blogging about it is an indication of this fact. It's still a dumb move, though.
posted by P. M. Jaworski at 11:23 p.m.
6 Comments:
Apparently people at Yale said "Lakewhat?"
Should make a great case study on how not to promote your University
Despite my animosity against the Bush administration, Lakehead makes me embarrassed to be Canadian. I'm not even going to link this story to my blog out of fear that I might have to answer to my American friends. Ha!
In the 1980's Harvard had a slogan: "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." Classy and smart, as a uni slogan should be.
It indicates a mindset that it is ok to impugn our leaders. I'm seeing the same thing with Harper. It is a worrisome trend.
But the Starr Report and dragging Clinton (who was a jerk in a lot of ways don't get me wrong) through the mud about "Lewinskygate" was a great way to ensure respect for the office of president?
I think it's a great ad with an important message. bush II is one of the most revolting specimens of humanity one could conceive of. His "Ivy League" education has produced a man proud of his own ignorance, which is disturbing considering his ignorance interferes with his ability to rationally interpret the world he does so much to affect.
thwap - I'm no fan of Bush II, and don't think he is a particularly good President. A bumper sticker on a car near where I work read: "George W. Bush. Worst. President. Ever." I'm inclined to agree with that assessment.
But what makes the Lakehead University advertising campaign worrisome is not the truth or falsehood of their assessment of Bush's intelligence. It's the fact that they would use a current President of the United States in this sort of way that is the problem. Sure, they may be right, Bush is no genius. But the truth is not a failsafe bulwark against criticism. There is such a thing as class and appropriateness. What this advertising campaign demonstrates is a lack of class and an inability to appreciate what is appropriate. For this reason, the Lakehead ad campaign is dumb.
And, oh, it's liable to make our American friends and neighbours mighty steamed if it, say, was made public through an international news agency like Reuters.
Oops...
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