College dumps lecturer after learning about his beef with beef
By The Associated Press
08.31.01
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TWIN FALLS, Idaho — A best-selling author on biotechnology has been dropped as a keynote speaker after College of Southern Idaho officials learned he might not have good things to say about beef or milk.
"I think it's shameful, absolutely shameful," said Jeremy Rifkin, who was to speak at the Oct. 3 Success Breakfast sponsored by the public college and the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.
College President Jerry Meyerhoeffer said the school did not know about Rifkin's views on agriculture and a quote by Rifkin in an Aug. 26 newspaper article seemed to threaten that he might change his planned topic.
Rifkin is the author of The Biotech Century: Harnessing the Gene and Remaking the World.
But he also wrote the 1992 book Beyond Beef about potential health, environmental and economic problems associated with the raising and consumption of beef.
Farm advocate groups had threatened to boycott the breakfast.
Meyerhoeffer said before contracting for the event, he saw tapes of Rifkin speaking on biogenetics, corporate patenting of genes and other biotech issues that Meyerhoeffer thought would interest local residents. But he said he has learned more about Rifkin.
"We are an agriculture community," Meyerhoeffer said Aug. 27, adding that local agriculture and the college have had a good partnership. "I think us bringing him in would be a violation of
that, based on what I've read."
The Times-News quoted Rifkin in an Aug. 26 article as saying "now I'll have to
rethink" the biotechnology topic, after he heard last week of opposition to his appearance.
"Meyerhoeffer said that this statement by Mr. Rifkin, if true, would constitute a breach of contract," CSI said in an Aug. 27 press release. "As a result, Rifkin's appearance has been
canceled and the contract is under review by the two organizations and their attorneys."
Not true, Rifkin told The Times-News. He said he had always intended to speak on biotechnology and told The Times-News that he would address questions on any topic — including agriculture — raised during the question-and-answer period.
"But that doesn't change the nature of my talk," Rifkin told the paper.
Rifkin said that in his 30 years of lecturing worldwide, this was the first time a school or community has canceled his speech because of pressure from special interests.
"It sends a chilling, chilling message to students and faculty that the free sharing of ideas is not welcome, and that there always is a censor in the wings," said Rifkin, who added he would seek full payment for the lecture.
Meyerhoeffer said the contract price was $12,000 and the college would negotiate with Rifkin's representatives.
Officials from the Idaho Dairymen's Association and Idaho Cattle Association praised the college and chamber for their decision.
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