Political Quotes

“I thank the Senator for his generous remarks about the center. But I also say that it is so easy to make fun of studies of ancient times and obscure subjects. But a great deal comes with them. In that New York Times editorial I spoke of, it says at one point: That such a forum is needed was suggested by a Senator's inept award several decades ago of a ``golden fleece'' to a Wilson scholar for writing a paper on how Russia's czars persecuted nomadic minorities centuries ago. This scene was not remote or irrelevant to the author, Bronislaw Geremek, the Polish medievalist who was to play a pivotal role in the Solidarity movement. In the humanities, as in natural sciences, ideas often spring from improbable intersections. I make a point again about a certain ``improbable'' intersection. It was a study by a Polish medievalist of the way in which a central Russian empire persecuted nomadic tribes. It was thought ridiculous here, but was part of the creation of a career which led to the independence of Poland. Thank you, Mr. President.”