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Ronn Torossian

Blame America & Israel For Boston Bombings…But Don’t Throw Basketballs

A review of currently acceptable behavior at American Universities can be learned by observing recent occurrences at two New Jersey universities. One can learn that throwing basketballs is an awful, horrible thing to do – but blaming America for the Boston bombings is acceptable.

Recently, Rutgers University hired one of the largest PR firms in the world, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, for crisis work as the result of the release of a leaked video showing Rutgers basketball coach Mike Rice shoving, kicking, and berating his players with inappropriate slurs.

Rice was fired following a tremendous uproar from the public, parents and media.  The Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie called the coach an “animal” as he criticized the university’s handling of evidence of the coach’s problems dating back way before the video surfaced. Rutgers hired a law firm for an independent probe and simultaneously suspended the men’s lacrosse head coach after allegations of verbal abuse. Clearly he was out of line and was rightfully fired.

Then we see the case of a Princeton University professor emeritus, Richard Falk, who also serves the United Nations as a Special Representative.  Falk has previously claimed 9/11 was an American conspiracy and that the Ayatollah Khomeini was a freedom-loving friend of America.  This week, Falk wrote an article blaming America and Israel for the Boston bombings saying that collectively America created the atmosphere for hatred and brought the bombing on ourselves.

And unlike Rutgers, from Princeton and politicians there is a deafening silence in response to Falk. Falk’s profile is intact on the Princeton University website, replete with his fancy-sounding title which informs the public that he is “Albert G. Milbank Professor Emeritus of International Law at Princeton University.” Falk explained in his article how “…the United States has been fortunate not to experience worse blowbacks, and these may yet happen,” and in referring to the Boston victims asked “How many canaries will have to die before we awaken from our geopolitical fantasy of global domination?”

An Ivy League professor telling Boston’s victims they got what they deserved and America and Israel are to blame is being allowed to continue representing one of the finest American educational institutions.

Just keep the basketballs away from him and make sure he doesn’t kick anyone.  That would be awful.

 

About the Author
Ronn Torossian is the Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer of 5WPR. Headquartered in New York City, the firm is one of the 25 largest independent public relations firms in the United States. 5WPR has been named “PR Agency of the Year” by the American Business Awards; and Ronn Torossian is the winner of the Silver Stevie Communications, Investor Relations, and PR Executive of the Year of the Year Award by the American Business Awards. Ronn’s book, “For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results with Game-Changing Public Relations,” received rave reviews. He is a member of the prestigious Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and is an active board member of a number of non-profit organizations. Ronn Torossian is a frequently sought after communications expert, often appearing on FOX News, CNBC, Huffington Post, Time Magazine, and other major media outlets. He resides on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with his family. Email: rtorossian@5wpr.com Facebook: Ronn's Facebook Twitter: Ronn's Twitter Page