Beware of McCarthyism

As the stack of post-Sept. 11 legislation and regulation continues to grow, it seems the president may be treading toward an era of intellectual McCarthyism. In a directive issued in October, he proposed to ban "certain international students from receiving education and training in sensitive areas, including areas of study with direct application to the development and use of weapons of mass destruction."\nWhile the IDS supports heightened scrutiny of people coming into United States, we do not support limiting any person's right to education. Red flags should have flown at the Immigration and Naturalization office that approved the student who later attained infamy as a suicide pilot during the Sept. 11 attacks. \nPeople who are potential threats to national security should be stopped at their native airport, not welcomed to our country and forbidden to enroll in physics 101. \nThe INS ruled April 8 that all people from foreign countries must apply for student visas to study in the United States. The Senate approved a bill Thursday to create a foreign student tracking system. The system will record the acceptance of aliens at each educational institution, issue student visas and track enrollment. It must pass through the House before being signed into law. \nBoth the new rule and the legislation bolster Bush's chances of using his Homeland Security Office to restrict the educational pursuits of international students such as the 3,200 who attend IU. Where will the line be drawn? If a student enrolled in flight school is capable of bringing down the World Trade Center, who's to prevent international students from being kicked out of culinary school -- just on the chance the student might mix some Anthrax in the dough?\nIf Bush pursues his directive, the restrictions would likely pertain to high-level math and science classes. The same classes that convey the knowledge to make technological and medical advances capable of improving quality of life and health throughout the world. Is this something we should limit to America? \nSept. 11 proved the INS needs to be more effective, efficient and vigilant. It also proved America should avoid policy that creates a breeding ground for terrorism. Will damaging the technical and medical health and progress of the world outside the United States create the conditions for more organizations like the Taliban to arise? Sure seems that way. Think about it, Mr. President.\nStaff vote: unanimous