Ben Carson steps down as Hopkins commencement speaker

[alp227]

Last edited Thu Apr 11, 2013, 03:48 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: Baltimore Sun

Neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson stepped down Wednesday as commencement speaker at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine after complaints from students about controversial comments concerning same-sex marriage.

The withdrawal came less than a week after medical school Dean Paul B. Rothman chastised Carson for his comments and met with graduating students concerned that the famed physician was an inappropriate commencement speaker.

Carson sent Rothman a letter saying that he didn't want to "distract from the celebratory nature of the day."

"Given all the national media surrounding my statements as to my belief in traditional marriage, I believe it would be in the best interest of the students for me to voluntarily withdraw as your commencement speaker this year," he wrote in the letter to Rothman, which the dean shared with the Hopkins community.

Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/maryland-health/bs-hs-ben-carson-commencement-hopkins-20130410,0,5597882,full.story

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The article was updated for print around 9:30pm ET; the original and very short article posted online about 2 hrs earlier:

Neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson has stepped down as commencement speaker at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine after complaints from students over controversial comments about same-sex marriage, a spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday.

In a letter to Dr. Paul Rothman, dean of the medical faculty and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine, Carson said: "Given all the national media surrounding my statements as to my belief in traditional marriage, I believe it would be in the best interests of the students for me to voluntarily withdraw as your commencement speaker this year. My presence is likely to distract from the true celebratory nature of the day. Commencement is about the students and their successes, and it is not about me. I want to make certain that remains so. Someday in the future, it is my hope and prayer that the emphasis on political correctness will decrease and we will start emphasizing rational discussion of differences so we can actually resolve problems and chart a course that is inclusive of everyone."

[CurtEastPoint]

1. Pretty sad when your own alma mater doesn't want you.

Dweeb

[Faygo Kid]

2. "my hope and prayer that the emphasis on political correctness will decrease"

Maybe someday intolerance will decrease, but Dr. Ben Carson won't help.

Jerk.

[Grassy Knoll]

3. Next on Fox......

Libruls hate the blah and the blah culture, I don't know what it is?

[chollybocker]

4. "Steps down"? "Voluntarily withdrew"?

Get off the cross, Dr. Carson; we need the wood.

[Tx4obama]

5. Good! Glad to hear!

I still recommend everyone, if they get a chance, to watch the film about his early life / medical career: "Gifted Hands" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1295085/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

It's a great movie.

[ck4829]

6. Carson has nobody to blame blame but himself... oh wait, he is already blaming someone else

"we will start emphasizing rational discussion of differences"

Good idea, Ben. When you are done with the "Gays... and BESTIALITY!" type arguments, you can let us know when you're ready for a rational discussion, 'kay?